Dominican merengue icons Miriam Cruz and Eddy Herrera will perform alongside maestro Ramón Orlando at Santo Domingo's Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez on September 23, 2026.
The landmark concert marks 50 years of Orlando's career in music and will feature more than 60 Dominican and international guest performers across six hours of live music.
Organized by production company EW Shows under producers Fernando Fernández and Mario Fernández, the event has been designed as a comprehensive musical journey through five decades of Dominican popular music, supported by a specialized audiovisual production tailored for the stadium venue.
Cruz, widely known as the Diva del Merengue, said participating in the anniversary event offers an opportunity to honor an artist she regards as one of the central figures of Dominican music. She stated that the title of maestro reflected his role in promoting quality, strength, and energy across the genre throughout his career.
Cruz also highlighted Orlando's work in expanding the international reach of merengue through his songwriting and musical arrangements. She noted that many of his arrangements remain popular decades after their release, citing her own major hit song La Loba as a direct example of his lasting impact. Describing the upcoming staging as a historical event and a complete spectacle, she encouraged music fans to attend the show.
Legacy of Dominican merengue
Merengue is the fast-paced national music and dance genre of the Dominican Republic, characterized by syncopated rhythms driven by the tambora drum, metal güira scraper, brass sections, and piano. Recognized globally for its danceability, the genre achieved widespread international prominence across Latin America and the United States during the late 20th century.
Eddy Herrera, often referred to as El Galán del Merengue, described Orlando as a legend for the genre, focusing particularly on his contributions as a composer and music producer. Herrera said Orlando's professional standard in song craftsmanship established him among the most significant producers in the history of Latin popular music.
Herrera added that joining the anniversary lineup was both an honor and a pleasure. He explained that he intends to bring a portion of his own musical style to the stage as a symbolic embrace for Orlando, calling on the public to support the concert with enthusiasm and unity in recognition of the composer's career.
Five decades of musical composition
Ramón Orlando Valoy, born in Santo Domingo, established himself as a dominant pianist, composer, and arranger in Caribbean music after studying at the National Conservatory of Music. The son of renowned musician Cuco Valoy, Orlando gained widespread recognition through his work with prominent bands, including Los Cantantes and Cuatro 40, shaping the sound of modern merengue during the 1980s and 1990s.
Both Cruz and Herrera developed their careers during the golden era of international merengue popularity. Cruz gained early fame as the lead vocalist of the all-female group Las Chicas del Can before establishing a successful solo career, while Herrera built his reputation as a lead singer with Wilfrido Vargas's orchestra prior to launching his own solo group.
Staging at the Olympic Stadium
The venue for the September performance, Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, is the largest stadium facility in the Dominican Republic. Located within the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center in Santo Domingo, the venue is named after the nation's two-time Olympic gold medal hurdler and serves as the country's primary location for major international sports and large-scale concert productions.
Producers Fernando and Mario Fernández stated that the concert will serve as a formal tribute to Orlando's musical legacy. They confirmed that the event will combine more than six hours of live musical performances with customized visual staging built specifically for the outdoor stadium environment.
