Canciones del Alma: A Tribute to Latin American Voices Program

CancionesdelAlma:ATributetoLatinAmericanVoices

Dr MelissaLubeckeSarabia,soprano

Dr JohnClaytonSeesholtz,baritone

Dr Jeong-EunLee,piano

SpecialGuest,JulietaGarcíaReyes,soprano

Argentina:CarlosGuastavino(1912-2000)

SelectionsfromLasnubes Guastavino

JardínAntiguo

Deseo

Larosayelsauce

(Pleaseholdyourapplauseuntilthecompletionofeachsetofsongs)

Mexico:BlasGalindo(1910-1993)yJoséRolón(1876-1945)

PalomaBlanca Galindo

TuSilencio Galindo

ElAlba Rolón

Arruro Galindo

Yellame“dicia” Rolón

CancióndeCuna(trio) arr.Galindo

JulietaGarcíaReyes,soprano

Chili:IdaVivado(1913-1991)

Trespoemasyunacanción Vivado

1) TránsitoyPermanencia

3) Iniciacion

Mexico:ManuelM.Ponce(1882-1948)yConsueloValázquez(1916-2005)

Estrellita Ponce

BesameMucho Velázquez

Cuba:ErnestoLecuona(1896-1963)

RomanzadeMarialaO Lecuona

Nocheazul

Pueblitomipueblo(trio) Guastavino

Notes

Knownfondlyasthe“ArgentineSchubert,”CarlosGuastavino(1912-2000)composedover200solo songs.Despitehisprolicoutput,thesongsofGuastavinoarestillnotperformedveryofteninUS Americanschoolsofmusic.Theypossessalyricalstyle,rifewithsweepingmelodieswhichtakethe nuancesofthepoetryandcolorthemwithrichhuesofdeepermeaning Heisconservativeinhisstyle, preferringtonalityaboveallelse,statingthatitis“theonlylegitimatebasisforwritingmusic.4”

However,asJonathanKulpwritesinhisarticleonGuastavino’sharmoniclanguage,hissettingsofthe poemsofLuisCernudatendtobemoretonallyadventurous.5Lasnubesisanexampleofthis, exhibitingimpressionistictendencies,obscuringthetonic,butneverentirelydoingawaywithit InstarkcontrasttoLasnubes,Larosayelsauceremainssteadfastlytonalandromanticinnature.

BlasGalindo(1910-1993)andJoséRolón(1884-1972)weretwoprominentMexicancomposersof thetwentiethcenturywhostudiedattheNationalConservatoryofMusicinMexicoCityandlater furtheredtheireducationinFrance,wheretheircompositionalstylewas inuencedbytheFrench avant-gardeandmodernistmovements.

GalindowasakeygureinclassicalMexicanmusic,whostudiedwiththefamousfrenchcomposer Boulanger.RecognizedforhisabilitytoblendtraditionalMexicanelementswithcontemporary techniques,Galindo'smusicischaracterizedbyitsrhythmicvitality,richharmonies,andthe incorporationoffolkmexicanindigenousmelodies Rolón,thoughlesserknown, wasimmersedinthe worksofFrenchcomposerssuchasDebussyandRavelandcomposedpiecesinbothFrenchandthe Spanish-language.AfterhisstudiesinFrance,he returnedtoMexico,wherehebecameanimportant educatorandadvocateforclassicalmusicstudy,contributingtothedevelopmentofanationalmusical identity

Additionally,bothcomposershadacloseconnectionwithManuelPonce(1882-1948),anotherkey gureinMexicanmusic.OneofhismostfamousworksistheEstrellita,asongthatbecame internationallypopular Ponce'sinuencehelpedshapeGalindoandRolón’scareers,asheencouraged theintegrationoffolkelements,particularlythatofruralMexico, intoclassicalmusic,ahallmarkof thesethreeartists.TheircontributionstoMexicanmusicreectarichdialoguebetweentraditionand modernity,markingthemaspivotalguresinthecountry'smusicalhistory AfterPonce’sdeath, RolóndedicatedanumberofpiecestoPonce’swife,MaureldePonce Itissuspectedthattheyhada romanticrelationshipbasedonRolón’swritingsbuttheywerenevermarried.

PeruvianbornIdaVivado(1908-1989),isacelebratedpianistandcomposerinChilewhereshe earnedherdegreeinInterpretationfromtheNationalConservatoryofMusicin1941.In1952she composedheronlypiecesforsolovoice,“Trespoemasyunacanción,”usingthesonnetsofherteacher AlbertoSpikin.Sheiscreditedwithagreatdegreeofemotionalclarityinherinterpretationofhis poems,harmonizingtheuseofthevoiceandpianotoeectivelycommunicatethethemesoflonging, pain,andhope.

ConsueloVelázquez(1916-2005)wasacelebratedMexicancomposerandpianist,bestknownforher iconicbolero"BésameMucho"writtenattheageofsixteen BorninCiudadGuzmán,Jalisco, CalázquezstudiedclassicalmusicattheConservatorioNacionaldeMúsicainMexicoCityandgained recognitioninthe1940s,becomingoneofthemostprominentfemalecomposersincontemporary LatinAmericanmusic SheoftencombinedtraditionalMexican-folkelementswithjazzandclassical musicaltraditions,creatingauniquesoundthatresonatedwithaudiencesacrosstheworld.

PianistandcomposerErnestoLecuona(1895-1963)wasborninHavana,Cubaandspenthislife writingmusicrepresentingCubanmusicalidiomsblendedwithjazz.Hisworksarepartofthe standardsongcanoninCubaandincludeover600compositions,includingsongs,Zarzuelas,and musicforCubancinema

TheRomanzadeMarialaOfromthesainete(one-actfarce)MaríalaO,depictsMaríalaO, a beautifulclubsingerofmixedracialdescentlamentingtheindelityofherwealthylover,Niño Fernando Thoughhehaspromisedtomarryher,herenegesonhispromise,choosinginsteadtomarry awealthywhitewoman.Thoughangryenoughtobothhopeforandplanforherrevenge,intheend, MariacannotallowFernandotobekilled.Becausetheword“mulata”isaracialslur,Ihavechosento singtheword“mestiza”intheopeningverseinstead Thisisanodtomyownheritageandavoids disparagingothers.Itisimportanttoacknowledgethecomplexandhurtfulhistoryofracialstereotypes andcolorismandtheirimpactwhenusedforentertainmentpurposes.

NocheazulrepresentstheheartandsoulofCubansong.ThoughNocheazulhasmostfamouslybeen performedbyPlacidoDomingo,ithasalsobeenarrangedforpiano,asLecuonaoftenplayedthesong asasolo Thesongconsistsoftwostanzaswhichbothrepeat,imbuedwithAfro-Cubanrhythmic ostinatosknownasclaves.Theserepetitivetemporalguidesgivethissongitsdistinctivegroove.

PoeticTranslations

Jardínantiguo

Goanewtotheclosedgarden, Thatafterthearchesofthegardenwall, Betweenthemagnolias,lemontrees

Guardsthespellofthewaters

Hearanewinthesilence

Alivewithtrillsandleaves, Thewarmwhisperofthebreeze

Wheretheoldsoulsoat

Lookonceagainatthedeepheavens.

Inthedistance,theslendertower

Asaoweroflightonthepalms

Everythingisalwaysbeautiful

Feeloncemore,asthen, Thepiercingthornofthedesire, Meanwhilepassingyouth returns.Dreamofagodwithouttime.

Deseo

ThroughthetranquilcountrysideofSeptember, Aleaffromoneoftheyellowpoplars, Likeabrokenstar, Twirlsasitreturnstotheearth.

Iflikethisunconscioussoul, Lordofthestarsandtheleaves, Itwent,burningshadow, Oflifeandofdeath

Larosayelsauce

Therosewasgoingtobloom

Embracedbythewillow, Theimpassionedtree, Lovedhersomuch!

Butagirl,acoquettishgirl, Butagirl,acoquettishgirl, Hasstolenher

Andtheinconsolablewillow Criesforher. Criesforher.

PalomaBlanca

Whitedove,whitedove,stopyoursinging, whitedove,yoursongissorrowful anditwillmakemedieofsadness(CooCoo)

TuSilencio

Fromthesilentair,yoursilenceensuesforth

Andovermyskin,itspreads

Mysteriouscontact

Withitsloving, Lovingtremor, Itenigmaticallyachievesitsheavenlinessthatdenesyouressence. Amongitswaves, althoughIamfree,Iamalsocaptiveoftheprisonofyourbreeze.

ElAlba

Themarinelandscape,paintedintangledcolors,takesshape. Thingssleep. Thedawnbreaksabovethesealikeabubble. Lifeisjustamiraculousrestingofboatsinthesoftstillnessofthesands.

Arrullo

Gotosleep,mygirl

Themoonisrising

Andwithit,willbringabluestar

Alittlerattle,alittlerattle

Mayitshineinyourhand

Andmaymusicsing

Andforyourdreamsallthedesiresofthisworldthechimeras Fromwhichweneverwanttoreturn.

Gotosleepmygirl

Themooniscomingandinitsclarityitwillshelteryou

Gotosleep,Pretty-Flower-bud

WhileIwatchoveryouinthecrib,mylovewillremainwithyouasyousleep

YEllaMe“Dicia”...

"Onemorning,dark,humid,andcold, Wesaidourfarewells,theyoungwomanIloved Sheoeredherhandtopart,tearsinhereyes, Andinsilence,Itoowhisperedgoodbye. Shespokesoftly,'IwishIcouldloveyou, ButIfearmymotherwillabandonus' Andshesaid,'It’sfoolishforamantopine Forawomanwhocannotreturnhisheart.'"

Unamañanadehorasnegrashúmedayfria Nos"despedianos"yoylajovenaquienyoamaba Mediosumano"pa"despedirseyellalloraba Peroensilencioyotambienledijeadios. yellame"dicia"quisieraamarteperonopuedo Poreltemoredequemi"máma"nosabandone Yellamedice:tontoeseelhombreque seappasione Deunamujerquenosepacorresponder"

Cancióndecuna

"Mrs.SantaAna,whyisthechildcrying?Becausehelostanapple.Don’tcryforone;Iwillgivehim two,buttheyhavetogoforthemtoSanJuandeDios."

"Crynot,beautifullittleone,Iwillgiveyouakisswhileyou’reinthecradle.Sleep,littleone,sleepand don’tcry,Forthelittleangelswillbringyouowers"

TránsitoyPermanencia

You,brevityoftheburningrose. I,eternityoftheroughoak Slowundertowofthemistysea, Undoneineveningsolitudes,

Essentialpermanence,inthedivine

Mutabletransformationofthings, WasI Youawanderingwhitecloud, Onthewingsofthewind.Vaporous Sideralgalley,atdawn, Bythewindandthebreezetransported. Transientreection,lightbarely

Onthetopofthestragglingmountain. I,eternityfromwhichnothingishoped: Oak,rock,sea,suchismysorrow

Iniciacion

Arethesethemountainsandtheclouds?

Arethesethevalleysandarethosethehills? Isitperhapsapaththatclimbs

Likeanundulatingandfragileserpent

Orisitasilverthreadwhichacherub Fromthemountainentanglesinitsskein?

StrangeenigmawhichIhadasachild: Fireyinmyperplexedmystery

Beforemystaticsight,themoon Cametoplaywithmyhands, Andthespectrallightofthestars,

Songofthenightingalesinmycradle. Todaythereisonlythepathandthehills Andthesilenceofmynightingales

Estrellita Littlestarofthefarawaysky

Thatlooksatmypain

Thatknowsmysuering, Comedownandtellmeifyoulovemealittle

BecauseIcannotlivewithoutyourlove.

Youaremylightoflove,Ostar! YouknowthatsoonIwilldie.

Comedownandtellmeifyoulovealittle, BecauseIcannotlivewithoutyourlove.

BesameMucho

Kissmealot(withpassion), asifthisnightwerethelast. Kissmealot, forIfearlosingyou, losingyouafterward.

Kissmealot, Iwanttohaveyouclosetome, totellyougoodbye, andtoleavewithakiss.

RomanzadeMarialaO

Unhappymixedgirl,thelaststrawofyourlife. Oflaughterandguarachashasbrokenthebongo Thatyoulistenedtoyesterdaytremblingfromlove, Andwithillusions,joinedtoacruelman.

Hisloveisnowgonefrommyheart

ThattodaynowIabhorbecauseofmypassion

Thatwashurtbyhistreachery,nowisonly Thirstytoseehimnallylaidoutatmyfeet.

MarialaO,nowyousingnomore

MarialaO,Itistimetocry Andtorememberthehappytimes

Ofyoureetingkisseswhicharealreadygone

MarialaO,everythingisover.

MarialaO,yourlovealreadyisgone

Andneverwillreturn.

MarialaO,dreamsofdeath

Nocheazul

Bluenight,thatinmyheartreects

ThepassionwhichIdreamedofcherishing Returnanewtobringpeacetomyheart. Can’tyouseethatI’mdyingofsorrow?

Comebluenight,comeagainandbringmeyourlight

Lookatmyheartgreedyforlove.

Comeonceagain,forwithoutyouthereisnoenjoyingthehappinessoflove. Come,forIamdyingofsorrow

Pueblito,mipueblo

Littletown,mycherishedhome, Inyourembrace,myspiritroams Witheverystreet,amemoryows, Inthewhisperofthewind,lovegrows.

Yourhumblepaths,sowornandtrue, Holdthelaughter,thetearsIknew.

Thegoldeneldsandtheskiessobright, Aretheheartbeatsthatllmynight.

Fromthegentlehillstotherivers'song, Inyourarms,I’vealwaysbelonged. Thoughtimemaytakemefaraway, Inmyheart,youforeverstay

Biography

Dedicatedtoperformingawiderangeofsoloandchamberrepertoire,pianistDr.Jeong-EunLeeis AssistantProfessorofInstructioninCollaborativePianoattheUniversityofTexasatSanAntonio. PriortojoiningUTSA,LeetaughtatIndianaUniversityasVisitingAssistantProfessorand PostdoctoralScholarandheldcollaborativepianistpositionsattheStateUniversityofNewYorkat GeneseoandRiversideCityCollegeinCalifornia Jeong-EunLeehasservedasacollaborativepianist andperformancecoachattheAspenMusicFestival,whereshepreviouslyreceivedinstrumentaland vocalfellowships. SheattendedSongfestinLosAngelesasaProfessionalPianoFellowandplayedin masterclassesofMargoGarrett,GrahamJohnson,MartinKatzandRogerVignoles.Leeparticipated infestivalsincludingtheAmalCoastFestival,BowdoinInternationalMusicFestival,Collabfest, KneiselChamberFestivalandHollandInternationalMusicSessions

SinceherorchestraldebutwiththeSkagitValleySymphony,Leehasappearedasasoloistwith orchestrasaroundtheUnitedStatesincludingtheSeattleSymphony,EastmanSchoolSymphony Orchestra,andtheEasternMusicFestivalOrchestra ShehasperformedattheKennedyCenterin WashingtonDC,BenaroyaHallinSeattle,WAandintheCzechRepublic,Italy,andtheNetherlands OriginallyfromSeoul,SouthKorea,LeereceivedtheDoctorofMusicalArtsdegreeinPiano AccompanyingandChamberMusic,andtheBachelorofMusicdegreeinPianoPerformance,from theEastmanSchoolofMusicwhereshestudiedwithJeanBarrandNelitaTrue.Asastudentof YoshikazuNagai,shereceivedtheMasterofMusicdegreefromSanFranciscoConservatoryofMusic inPianoPerformance. InadditiontoaconcertoperformancewiththeRiversideCityCollege SymphonyOrchestra,recentengagementsincludechamberconcertsintheUnitedStatesandSouth Korea.

JulietaGarcíaReyesisalyricsopranoandvocaleducatorfromJacona,Michoacán,México.She receivedherBachelorofMusicfromtheUniversityofColoradoatBoulderinMay2019andher MasterofMusicdegreeinVocalPedagogyandPerformanceattheUniversityofTexasatSanAntonio inMay2021 Asofthesummerof2023,sheisalsoatrainedVocologistbytheUtahCenterfor VocologyattheUniversityofUtah AtUTSAsheservedastheGraduateResearchAssistantforthe InstituteofMusicResearch.DuringhertimeasAssistantArchivistattheAmericanMusicResearch CenteratCUBoulder,sheprocessedandencodedTheBertonConPapersarchive.Mrs.García ReyeswasnamedOutstandingGraduateStudentbytheCollegeofLiberalandFineArtsatUTSAin 2021 ShehasperformedoperatictitlerolesasLaContessainTheMarriageofFigaroandasRosarioin Goyescas(UTSALyricTheater).OthercreditsincludetherolesofAnitaandRosaliainWestSide Story,TheBeggarWomaninSweeneyTodd,andSprit2inDieZauberöte(EklundOperaProgram.)

Mrs.GarcíaReyesalsodevelopedandledthewritingoftheVideo-OperaScriptofUTSALyric Theater’spandemicproductionofTheMarriageofFigaroinAprilof2020

Mrs.Garciapresentedherresearch“Singingandpersonswithphysicaldisabilities:asurveyofsinging teacherattitudes,knowledge,andexperience,”atTheVoiceFoundation’sVirtualVoiceSymposiumin

thesummerof2021.Overthesummerof2024,sheattendedtheNationalAssociationofTeachersof Singing’sScienceInformedPedagogyInstitute.

Shehastaughtprivatevoicesince2013tostudentsofallages,andacrossgenres Since2021,shehas servedasthePrivateVoiceTeacherforthechoirsoftheAlamoHeightsIndependentSchoolDistrictin SanAntonio,TX.

Dr.MelissaLubeckeSarabia,Soprano,completedherundergraduatemusicalstudiesatBaylor Universityin2013,receivedherMastersinVocalPerformancefromtheUniversityofTexasSan Antonioin2018,andcompletedherDMAatTheUniversityofColoradoBoulderin2024.Dr. LubeckeSarabiawaschosenasthewinnerofUTSA’sConcertoandAriacompetitioninthespringof 2017,receivingthechancetosingwiththeUTSAorchestrainconcert.Inthesummerof2016she spentsixweeksinAustria,performingatsacredmusicconcertsandSpanishmusicconcertswiththe AmericanInstituteofMusicalStudiesinGraz.HerpastrolesincludeMlle.SilberklanginDer Schauspieldirektor,2ndLadyinDidoandAeneas,Knitter#2inAGameofChance,andRosalindein DieFledermaus.MostrecentlyshehasperformedasLadywithaCakeBoxinPostcardtoMorocco, MimíinLaBohème,andAliceFordinVerdi’sFalstaffwithEklundOpera In2021Dr Lubecke Sarabiaco-foundedTheCancionesProject,anon-protcorporationinTexaswhichseeksto championLatinAmericanmusicintheAmericanmusicalinstitutionandemphasizebelcantosinging techniqueinawaywhichembracesthetenetsofculturallyresponsivepedagogy.

Dr.JohnSeesholtz,baritone,isthecofounderandexecutivedirectoroftheCancionesProject,a nonprotcorporationdedicatedtotheadvancementofLatinAmericanmusicthroughoutallstagesof academiaandformerDirectorofVocalPedagogyattheUniversityofColorado.Heisalsoanalumnus ofUTSA(BMVocalPerformance2001).JohnmadehisprofessionalItaliandebutin2006aspartof theGaluppiFestivalatTeatroGoldoniinVeniceasGuglielmoinMozart’sCosífantutte Hehas performedallovertheUnitedStates,Europe,andLatinAmerica(Bazil,Paraguay,andMexico).His mostrecentoperaticperformancesinclude;TíoSarvaor(deFalla’sLaVidaBreve),Germont(La Traviata),BaronZeta(TheMerryWidow),Sharpless(MadameButtery),Alvaro(Florenciaenel Amazonas),Iago(Verdi’sOtello),Pangloss(Candide),Silvio(Pagliacci),Verdi'sFalstaasFord,andhis favoriterole,GianniSchicchi(titlerole) SomeofhissoloconcertperformancesincludeCamina Burana,Brahm’sRequiem,theFiveMysticalSongs,SeaSymphony,andDonaNobisPacemby VaughanWilliams.Hehaspublishedmultiplearticlesandcuratedmusiccollectionsincluding: “Hyperadduction:APedagogicApproachforthe21stCenturyVoiceInstructor,”“TheAIDSQuilt SongbookandItsUncollectedWorks,”“TheOriginoftheVerdiBaritone,” and“TheLostSongsof theAIDSQuiltSongbook.”Heisworkingonanonlinedatabasecalled“TheCancionesProject: ExpandingBelCantoCanonThroughtheInnatePedagogicFluencyofLatinAmericanSpanishArt Song.” InAugust2024,hebegantravelingthroughoutLatinAmericaresearching,performingand lecturingatmultipleinstitutionsincluding:ConservatoriodelasRosas(Mexico),FacultaddeBellas Artes(Mexico),CentroEvangélicoMennonitadeTeologíaAscunción(Paraguay)andInstituto MunicipaldeArte-IMA(Paraguay).