Director of the International Song Festival bids farewell: "We never try to evoke a bad reaction from the audience"

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VIÑA DEL MAR.-  The 2008 International Song Festival in Viña del Mar has now taken its place in history, leaving behind several artistic and musical milestones.  The event also, however, has marked the end of an era – that of Ricardo de la Fuente as director of the Festival.  De la Fuente resigned seven months ago after having held the position for the last six years.

Ricardo de la Fuente was the “invisible hand” pulling all of the strings of the festival.  He was the one who chose the artists and he was the one who made the decision to extend their performances or cut them short each night.

How do you hope to celebrate the Festival’s 50th anniversary?
-“We have to put on an important show and insist that the Festival end earlier”.

What about the repeat performances?  Was the highlight of this year marked by artists who had never performed at the Festival, such as Stefan Kramer?
-“There are very few artists these days.  There just aren’t more.  Ask the producers who bring them to Chile.  They are always the same”.