Travel to a veranda in San Juan, a supper club in Buenos Aires, and Carnival in Rio as the NHSO Pops! mambos, sambas, and tangos in Road to Rio, Saturday, March 3, 2:30pm, at Hamden Middle School and Sunday, March 4, 3:00pm at Shelton Intermediate School. Joining Maestro Jerry Steichen is Héctor Del Curto, master of the bandoneón, and the award-winning Yale Ballroom Dance Team.

Pops audiences are in for a Hot, Hot, Hot time as Jerry and Del Curto head south of the border to explore the rhythms and flavors of Latin America. Del Curto, perhaps best known to audiences as director of the Broadway show Forever Tango, has selected hits from Latin composers Ástor Piazzolla, Osvaldo Pugliese, and Pablo Ziegler. Dancers from the awe-inspiring Yale Ballroom Dance Team will accompany the Orchestra with breathtaking dance moves.

Praised by the New York Times as a “splendid player,” his solos described as “wistful” and “piercing,” bandoneónist Héctor Del Curto has captivated audiences around the world as a soloist and chamber musician. He has shared the stage with world–renowned tango legends Astor Piazzolla and Osvaldo Pugliese, pianist Pablo Ziegler, clarinetist Paquito D´Rivera, ballet dancer Julio Bocca, and has also performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra and Teatro Colón Ballet among others.

“The hit reality-television show Dancing with the Stars has the nation energized about ballroom dancing,” said Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen. “I can’t wait to share an authentic ballroom superstar and these amazing dancers with audiences.”