The United States Embassy in Buenos Aires hosted a gala in Teatro Colón on Saturday to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of bilateral relationships with Argentina. The only speaker was Ambassador Marc Stanley, who thanked the audience and pledged to continue working with Argentina as a partner to “feed and fuel the world.”

“You have everything you need, and we have everything we need to partner in different ways to work for you for the next 200 years,” he said. Stanley added that Argentina is set to “begin a new chapter,” referencing the incoming government of President-elect Javier Milei. 

The highlight of the event was a concert performed by the Teatro Colón stable orchestra and conducted by its musical director, British conductor Jan Latham-Koening.   

The orchestra performed the two national anthems and pieces by musical giants from both countries. The program included compositions by Argentine greats Alberto Ginastera and Astor Piazzolla, as well as others by John Philip Sousa and Samuel Barber, two composers from the United States.  

The concert ended with a rendition of Lincoln’s Portrait, a 1942 classical orchestral work written by composer Aaron Copland that includes excerpts of some of President Lincoln’s speeches. Ambassador Stanley took to the stage to recite the written portions of the piece. 

The event concluded with a reception following the musical presentation.