Guanajuato, Mexico - The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Tecalitlan Mariachi band performed together last weekend at the inaugural gala of the 44th International Cervantino Festival, filling the city of Guanajuato with the music and traditions of guest state Jalisco.

With vocals by soprano Barbara Padilla, the groups offered those gathered on the Alhondiga de Granaditas Esplanade a handful of well-known songs that had the audience singing along.

After a prelude by the orchestra directed by Enrique Radillo, Padilla came on stage to sing "Ya Lo Se que Tu Te Vas" and "Jurame," backed by both band and orchestra.

The Mariachi then took center stage, beginning with the popular "El Son de la Negra," and then again accompanied Padilla.

The soprano vocalized with the band, which has been performing for more than 50 years, the numbers "Mexico Lindo y Querido" and "Besame Mucho" by Consuelo Velazquez, another famed Jalisco native, to whom tribute will be paid during the festival with the "Amar y Vivir" show, in which several other artists will take part.

After singing "Amor Eterno," Padilla dedicated the emotional tune to Juan Gabriel, who died last August. "You were the greatest, maestro, thank you," said the soprano, who specializes in the "classical crossover" genre, which combines opera with pop music.

The orchestra and the Mariachi band joined forces to play some medleys that included numbers by Agustin Lara and songs dedicated to Jalisco.

As the gala was coming to a close, Padilla, backed only by the orchestra, intoned "Granada," though the Mariachi were soon back for the all-time hit "Guadalajara."

With the first measures of "Ay Jalisco, No Te Rajes," fireworks began to fill the sky, after which the gala was wrapped up with "Camino de Guanajuato," to the immense applause of the audience.

The State of Jalisco will also play a part in other activities of the Cervantino Festival with performances by the Huichol Indian group El Venado Azul and the Jalisco Ballet, as well as in a commemoration of writer Juan Jose Arreola with a multi disciplinary interpretation of his book, "Bestiario."

The festival will continue until October 23 with a program that this year will include some 700 activities, in which around 3,500 artists from 38 countries will take part from the worlds of music, visual arts, theater and literature.