Musica Viva NY Presents MEXA: A Multicultural Musical Project Led by Two Leading Mexican Artists: Conductor Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez and Mezzo-Sopra

“This daring, extravagant, and unique show bridges origins and traditions to showcase cultural coexistence, aiming to break stereotypes that distance the audience from classical music…”  – Living Up Magazine

New York, NY (For Release 09.07.23) — Hailed as “a treasured institution (Front Row Center),” New York City’s leading chamber choir, Musica Viva NY, launches its 2023-24 season with a multicultural project fusing choral music with the indigenous sounds of Mexico and beyond on Sunday, October 29, 2023, 5:00 p.m., at Manhattan’s All Souls. Spearheaded by two of today’s top Mexican artists in the field of contemporary music, Artistic Directors Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez of Musica Viva NY and Guadalupe Peraza of Mexamorphosis, this unique program bridges cultures by integrating diverse and often underrepresented musical styles from Mexico with European, Latin American, Italian Baroque, West African, and Hindustani music, infused with chamber polyphony.

“I believe that Alejandro and I, both from Mexico, are passionate musicians completely devoted to our craft,” says Guadalupe Peraza, mezzo-soprano/artistic director/founder of Mexamorphosis. “As professional musicians, we consistently engage with diverse music spanning various centuries and regions worldwide.

Furthermore, we both share a profound interest not only in advocating for our culture and traditions through music but also in uncovering their origins and connections, thereby revealing their intrinsic value beyond some of the superficial or stereotypical portrayals that we often encounter. This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity for us to create together, and I am genuinely thrilled about the chance to work with this organization and this exceptional group of people, including Alejandro and the wonderful performers of Musica Viva NY.”

Joining Musica Viva NY soloists are renowned Mexican musicians Sinuhé Padilla (jarana and voice) and Victor Murillo (requinto); “bravely original” (The Guardian) top Hindustani sarangi player and vocalist Suhail Yusuf Khan; Griot music collaborators from West Africa including “magnificent complex fingerwork” (Afropop Worldwide) and “lacework arpeggios” (The New York Times) of Yacouba Sissoko (kora and voice) and Baba Moussa (talking drum). 

About Mexamorphosis     
Founded and led by Mexican mezzo-soprano and Artistic Director Guadalupe Peraza, Mexamorphosis is a celebration of musical diversity from different centuries and cultures. Since its first season in 2016, Mexamorphosis has presented cross-cultural programs designed to establish cultural bridges by fostering a participatory community where artists and audiences alike feel a sense of belonging. With a rotating cast of artists specialized in diverse musical practices, Mexamorphosis presents intercultural programs that highlight shared roots, timeless collective narratives, and forms of expression that, although seemingly distant, share common ground. Previous performances have brought together musicians, dancers and visual artists from traditions such as Son Jarocho, Irish traditional music, early western music, West African Griot Music, and Turkish music. Performances have been presented at intimate venues and metropolitan theaters in Mexico and the USA. Mexamorphosis.org

About Musica Viva NY

Praised by The New York Times as an “excellent chorus”, Musica Viva NY is a chamber choir of 30 professionals and highly skilled volunteers. Since its founding in 1977, Musica Viva NY has been based in Manhattan’s historic All Souls Church. Under the baton of Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, its mission is to bring world-class music to a widening community through its annual concert series, community engagement programs, and an ambitious artistic vision.

Musica Viva NY’s imaginative programming offers joy, solace and renewal in a complex world. Presenting a broad repertoire of new compositions and classic masterworks, Musica Viva NY emphasizes artistic excellence and transformative interpretations to ennoble the human spirit. Musica Viva NY regularly commissions and premieres new American music and is committed to performing the work of living American composers, women composers and composers of color, including works that are socially conscious and address social, racial or environmental issues.

Since 2014, Musica Viva NY has commissioned and performed works by Bora Yoon, Seymour Bernstein, Elena Ruehr, Joseph Turrin, Alexandra T Bryant, Gilda Lyons, Richard Einhorn, Steve Reich, Frank Ticheli, Morten Lauridsen, Florence Price, Frank Ferko, Lori Laitman, Trent Johnson, George Walker, Joel Thompson, Missy Mazzoli, Randall Thompson, Jesse Montgomery, and Trevor Weston among others. MusicaViva.org

Ticketing Program Information:

Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. (pre-concert talk at 4:00 p.m.)
All Souls, 1157 Lexington Avenue, New York City, Train 6 to 77th Street or N/Q/R to 86th Street

Tickets: $50 ($30 for students) are available from MusicaViva.org.

Musica Viva NY soloists
Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, conductor
Guadalupe Peraza, mezzo-soprano
Mexamorphosis guest artists:

Victor Murillo, requinto

Sinuhé Padilla-Isunza, jarana and voice

Yacouba Sissoko, kora

Baba Moussa, talking drum

Suhail Yusuf Khan, sarangi and voice

Program:

Sarao de la Chacona by Juan Arañés

Fuego, Fuego, Cuando el Bien que adoro, El Cantarico, Loa (La Púrpura de la Rosa) by Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco

Lagrimosa Beltá (Ciacona) by Giovanni Felice Sances

Presso l´onde tranquille by G. F. Sances

Jarabi, Traditional Song from Mali

Mini Yamba (big python), Popular song from Mali

Dan Dilla (everything has an end) by Yacouba Sissoko

My Heart, My Life by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook

Traditional North Indian works (TBD)

Traditional Mexican music “Mexican son jarocho” (TBD)

Original Music and improvisation by Suhail Yusuf Khan

# # #