Concert celebrates 200 years
of spreading the Word

Musicians performing at the concert held in January 2005 at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, one of the largest cultural venues in the country, as part of the Bible Society of Mexico's celebration of 200 years of the Bible Society movement. Photo: BSMexico (MEX05DJ-9.JPG)

By Miriam López Guevara,
Bible Society of Mexico

MEXICO — The white-marble Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, dominating the eastern end of the great city centre park, Alameda Central, was the scene of a gala concert held by the Bible Society of Mexico earlier this year as part of its celebration of 200 years of the Bible Society movement.

Described by the Society as “an event unprecedented in the history of the evangelical church in Mexico,” it brought together two Mexican musicians both enjoying international reputations: the distinguished international conductor Juárez Lincoln Velásquez, who has conducted orchestras in the United States and Guatemala, and the Mexican tenor Aarón Medrano, who has performed opera in Europe, Canada and Japan. The other musicians taking part were the Philadelphia Orchestra and the 80-strong choir of the National Evangelical Musical Association.

In his welcoming address the Rev Abner López, General Secretary of the Bible Society, spoke about the formation of the Society in 1878, its mission and the activities it has undertaken over the years. He told of the desire of the Society to give the Bible to Mexico’s indigenous communities. More than 256 languages are spoken in Mexico and some part of Scripture exists in just 95 of them. Proceeds from the evening go towards the work of translating the Bible into indigenous languages.

The choir’s performances began with Vivaldi’s Gloria among other classical pieces and their magnificent sound drew warm applause from the 1,800-strong audience of Bible Society supporters and special guests.

Mr Medrano’s songs of praise and love included items such as Come Let Us Adore Him, Sing To God, and The Sea Belongs to the Lord. His performance allowed the audience to enjoy music elevated to a spiritual plane..Finally, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, brought the audience to their feet with applause.