The Laredo-focused documentary film, Rhapsody on the Rio Grande: A Confluence of Culture, debuts Wednesday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.
The debut is open to the public.
The film, which was produced with funding support from the City of Laredo, is based on an original musical composition, “Rapsodia del Río Grande,” composed by TAMIU faculty member and organist Dr. Colin Campbell, a native of South Africa.
Rhapsody on the Río Grande explores through music and the insightful observations of Laredoans the dynamic confluence of culture, history, and identity on the border. As well, the film documents the collaborative efforts that went into the performance of the original composition by Campbell on TAMIU’s Sharkey organ with the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra and the renown Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Guadalajara.
Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU president, said the documentary tells a powerful story.
“It’s a remarkable artistic offering that’s infused with what it means to be a citizen of our dynamic border. It masterfully draws from a universal palette of sound and image to share its story. I think audiences will be especially delighted to see familiar Laredo faces and hear traditional sounds that embrace that story,” Dr. Arenaz said.
The film was produced by KLRN.
