Puerto Rican merengue singer Elvis Crespo will perform on Wednesday as a guest artist at maestro Ramón Orlando's 50th anniversary concert in Santo Domingo.
The event, titled 50 años de Ramón Orlando y sus amigos, takes place at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium and will bring together more than 70 artists to honor the Dominican musician's five-decade career. Tickets for the anniversary show sold out two days before the performance.
Ramón Orlando Valoy, a prominent Dominican composer, arranger, and vocalist, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in tropical music and merengue history. The Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic recently granted him official recognition for his musical career. The celebration is held at Santo Domingo's main sports and entertainment arena, named after two-time Olympic gold medalist hurdler Félix Sánchez.
Speaking on Tuesday during the general rehearsal at the stadium, Crespo expressed his enthusiasm for participating in the showcase. The Puerto Rican performer, famous for his 1998 hit Suavemente, noted that Orlando had been a major influence on his music since he was a child in kindergarten.
Crespo said he was preparing with special enthusiasm for the performance and had been carefully rehearsing his assigned song. He admitted that he was overwhelmed with emotion when he learned which piece he would sing, adding that he had been working to make the arrangement his own to fulfill the maestro's expectations for his 50th anniversary.
Tribute to a Merengue Legend
When asked to describe Orlando's legacy, Crespo said the artist's entire career could be summarized in a single word, quality. He recalled that during his own early days in the music industry, Orlando's performances in Puerto Rico attracted more professional musicians than regular audience members because of the exceptional standards of his recordings and live orchestra.
Crespo praised Orlando's musical repertoire, highlighting his romantic compositions, versatile musicianship, and artistic talent. He said he was more than happy to return to a Dominican stage to pay tribute to a composer whose work he had admired since childhood.
The upcoming concert marks another major appearance in the country for Crespo, who recently closed The Event 2026 at the Lifestyle resort in Puerto Plata, on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic.
New Album and Collaborations
Alongside his participation in the anniversary concert, Crespo is preparing a new studio album scheduled for release in early 2027. The project marks a phase of musical renewal for the singer, who plans to explore new sounds and partner with younger artists.
As part of this new direction, Crespo is releasing a single titled Pa' Bailar this week featuring the artist BL. He explained that collaborating with emerging performers allows him to reinvent his style while enjoying the creative process in the present moment.
Crespo declined to reveal the names of other guest performers who might appear on the upcoming record, particularly potential collaborators from the Dominican Republic. He explained that revealing those names now would distract attention from his current single with BL, urging fans to stay tuned for when the full album is released.
The concert on Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium will feature a wide lineup of Dominican music figures and international guest performers joining Orlando to celebrate 50 years of his artistic career.
