In most of Latin America, if you’re by the sea, there’s bound to be a place called Miramar (“look to the sea”) nearby. It typically offers a postcard view of the ocean—and if music is playing, chances are it’s boleros, the romantic genre that originated in the late 1800s and became an international sensation through collaborations between Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Cuban musicians.
When Puerto Rican singer Reinaldo Álvarez named the group, he searched for something simple and familiar to Spanish speakers—something that captured the humble poetry of everyday life. Miramar felt just right: a romantic snapshot of a place both familiar and far from home.
Miramar captures that poetry with their futuristic spin on the classic bolero. Rooted in the nostalgic golden era of 1950s duo and trio music, their style reaches much further, drawing on Nuevo Romántico, Mexican pop baladas, as well as the jazzy Cuban cabaret style known as filín. The band carries the torch of Bolero Beat—a genre made popular in the 1960s for its blend of boleros with psychedelic rock, bossa nova, funk, and more.
Miramar features the voice and award-winning songwriting of Puerto Rican native Rei Álvarez, alongside the elegant vocals of “la gran voz de la diva,” Laura Ann Singh. Their heart-wrenching harmonies soar over the lush, cinematic arrangements of pianist and bandleader Marlysse Simmons-Argandoña. A longtime creative partnership, Simmons and her husband Álvarez are also known for their work with the world-renowned indie salsa band Bio Ritmo. The core Miramar trio—Singh, Álvarez, and Simmons—is supported by a rotating all-star rhythm section based between Richmond, VA, and Brooklyn, NY. The band often expands its sound through collaborations with local string quartets and symphonies.
Miramar “brings the bolero into the 21st century” (All About Jazz), and their recordings have been described as an “elegant invocation of heritage” (NPR’s All Things Considered), “lush and lyrical” (NBC News Latino), and “timelessly crafted” (World Music Central). They have been featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk, NYC’s GlobalFEST, Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors, and have performed across the USA, France, and beyond.
🎵 Pre-Show Lecture at 6 p.m.
Before the concert, join members of Miramar for a special discussion on the Latin music tradition of bolero (or balada romántica). The group will explore the genre’s roots, its evolution across Latin America, and how it influences their sound today. They’ll also share insights into the themes and stories behind their lyrics—offering audiences a deeper connection to the music before the performance begins.
🎶 Concert at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the Nov. 8 performance are $10 for adults and free for ages 17 and under, part of the Opera House’s commitment to accessible, family-friendly programming. Tickets are available online at www.pocahontasoperahouse.org, at the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton, and at the door on the night of the show.
The Opera House Performance Series is presented with support from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals, Mid Atlantic Arts, and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
