Season 2012
José Carreras
sings Misa Criolla Written in 1963 by Ariel Ramirez, Misa Criolla has become one of the most wellknownand oft-performed South American choral works throughout the world. A product of the composer's long study of
Argentine folk music, the piece synthesizes popular and liturgical styles, drawing on the rhythms and melodies of Argentina and other South American cultures. Almost 25 years after its birth, millions of CD's of the piece were sold when José Carreras recorded it in1988.
Producciones Lastra S.L – C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º - 28007 - Madrid Producciones Lastra has represented and produced all the Misa Criolla tours interpreted by Ariel Ramirez and José Carreras since 1987. José Carreras Misa Criolla
Piano: Lorenzo Bavaj Musicians: Grupo Alturas
José Carreras occupies a privileged position in La Bohème, Tosca, Werther, Don Carlo, the music world. Born in Barcelona, he studied Carmen, La Forza del Destino, I Pagliacci, music in his hometown. In 1970 he started his L’Elisir d’Amore and Un Ballo in Maschera. professional career in the Gran Teatre del Liceu of Barcelona with Nabucco and Lucrezia Borgia. Together with his opera activities, he has given frequent recitals in the world’s most His meteoric musical career resulted in early famous halls. He has performed at Carnegie debuts at the world’s most prestigious opera Hall and the Avery Fisher Hall of New York; theatres and festivals, including the Teatro alla the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and the Scala of Milan (“Un Ballo in Maschera”, 1975); Royal Albert Hall in London; the Salle Pleyel the New York Metropolitan Opera House in Paris, at the Musikverein and Konzerthaus (“Tosca”, 1974); San Francisco Opera (“La of Vienna, the Berlin Philharmonie, Suntory Bohème”, 1973); the Vienna Staatsoper Hall and the NHK Hall in Tokyo, the Grosses (“Rigoletto”, 1974); London’s Royal Opera Festspielhaus of Salzburg, the Philarmonie House (“La Traviata”, 1974); The Oper of and the Hercules Saal of Munich. Munich (“Tosca”, 1974); Chicago’s Lyrics Opera (“Un Ballo in Maschera”, 1976); and the Festivals of Salzburg (“Don Carlo”, 1976); Aix en Provence (“Roberto Devereux”, 1977); Edinburgh (“Verdi Requiem”, 1982) and Verona (“Carmen”, 1984).
José Carreras has collaborated with the most renowned orchestra conductors, among others Herbert von Karajan (an artistic and personal relationship which lasted over twelve years and included performances in Salzburg, Berlin and Vienna), Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Muti, Lorin Maazel, Riccardo Chailly, Colin Davis, Giuseppe Sinopoli, James Levine, Carlo Maria Giulini,
Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Metha, and with pre-eminent stage directors such as: Franco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3HdUgHktg Zeffirelli, Jean Pierre Ponnelle, Giorgio Strehler, Luigi Comencini, Harold Prince.
His repertoire includes over sixty operas, of which the following stand out: Andrea Chenier 2 Producciones Lastra S.L - C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. (28007) Madrid – Tel: 91 521 77 23 - Mov: 676 929 479 - E-mail: [email protected]
His wide concert repertoire includes over 600 titles of the most diverse styles ranging from the baroque to José Carreras Awards contemporary music.. His extensive discography includes over 150 recordings, notably 50 complete In 2004 he received the Civil operas,oratories, popular and classical recitals. He has Order Golden Cross of the been awarded many Gold and Platinum Discs world- Social Solidarity bestowed by wide. Her Majesty the Queen of Spain, doña Sofía; the José Carreras has performed the leading role in National Order Steaua several operatic films for Television, Cinema and Video, including La Bohème, I Lombardi, Andrea Romaniei (Etoile de la Chenier, Turandot, Carmen, Missa de Rèquiem de Roumanie) of Romania in a Verdi, Don Carlo, La Forza del Destino, Stiffelio, degree of Grand Officer and Fedora and Jerusalem. the Big Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic As for his cinema activities, two films stand out: of Germany. Romanza Final, in which José Carreras portrays the life of Julián Gayarre and A Life Story, a report on Mr. He has also been awarded the Carreras life and artistic career. A Life Story, title Doctor Honoris Causa by nominated in Hollywood, was awarded an the University of Barcelona International Emmy Award in 1993 by the Academy of (Spain), the Universities of Arts and Sciences of the US Television. Loughborough and Sheffield Among the numerous national and international prizes (United Kingdom), the and distinctions which have been bestowed upon José University Mendeleyev of Carreras, there are the Grand Prix du Disque from the Moscow (Russia), the Academy of Paris; the Luigi Illica Prize; a 1991 University of Camerino Grammy Award; the Sir Lawrence Olivier Award for his (Italy), the Napier University performance in “Stiffelio” at the Royal Opera House, in Edinburgh (Scotland), the Covent Garden; Kammersänger and Lifetime Honorary Rutgers University (United Member of the Vienna Staatsoper; Honorary Member of the London Royal Academy of Music; he received States), the Miguel Hernández the Gold Medal of the New York Spanish Institute; the University of Elche (Spain), Gold Medal of the City of Vienna ; the Gold Medal of the University of Coimbra Fine Arts bestowed by His Majesty the King of Spain; (Portugal), the National the Gold Medal of the City of Barcelona; the Gold University of Music in Medal of the Generalitat of Catalunya; Prince of Bucharest (Romania) , the Asturias Award 1991; and The Albert Schweitzer Music University of Marburg Award 1996. He is Honorary President of the London (Germany) and, most Arts Orchestra. recently, the University of He is Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Pécs (Hungary). and Chevalier dans l'Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur de la République Française; Gran Croce di Cavaliere and Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana; Honour Medal of the Bavarian Government, Grand Honour Award of the Austrian Republic, Komandor’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Polish Republic, Commandeur de la Médaille du Sahametrei of the Royal Cambodian Government and Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO.
3 Producciones Lastra S.L - C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. (28007) Madrid – Tel: 91 521 77 23 - Mov: 676 929 479 - E-mail: [email protected]
He has also been awarded the title Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Barcelona (Spain), the Universities of Loughborough and Sheffield (United Kingdom), the University Mendeleyev of Moscow (Russia), the University of Camerino (Italy), the Napier University in Edinburgh (Scotland), the Rutgers University (United States), the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (Spain), the University of Coimbra (Portugal), the National University of Music in Bucharest (Romania) , the University of Marburg (Germany) and, most recently, the University of Pécs (Hungary).
In 1992 José Carreras was engaged as Musical Director of the memorable Olympic Games held in Barcelona.
The 3 Tenors concerts offered by José Carreras together with his colleagues Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, are now legendary. Followed by world-wide audiences of over two billion, they have created an unprecedented impact in the world of opera. José Carreras sings Misa Criolla Japan Tour 2005
Since 1988, in addition to his professional Nothing better exemplifies the variety to be activities, he presides with total dedication and heard in the Misa Criolla, though, than the enthusiasm over the “José Carreras way it ranges from the Gloria, with its hints International Leukaemia Foundation” of South American carnival, to the final Agnus established in Barcelona and with branches in Dei with harpsichord accompaniment. the United States, Switzerland and Germany. Currently his Leukaemia Foundation is one of The first recording of the Misa Criolla took his most important goals and priorities. place in 1964, sung by the choir of the Basílica del Socorro and the folkloric male Misa Criolla quartet 'Los Fronterizos', who sang the soloist parts either one by one or together. The first Entirely based on traditional rhythms live performance took place in Colón Theatre (chacarera, carnavalito, estilo pampeano), it is in Buenos Aires in 1965 , the first European also one of the first masses to be celebrated in performances were in March 1967, when a modern language - being contemporary to Philips organized a tour of Ramírez and his the Second Vatican Counc. Ariel Ramirez, born musicians in 7 European countries, starting in in 1921, draws on the metres and rhythms of Amsterdam. Latin-American music, and employs dance forms from Argentina, Bolivia and Peru; it is The score was edited in 1965 in Buenos music that is heartwarmingly approachable, of Aires, together with the score of the a light, devotional kind. In trying to Christmas cantata Navidad Nuestra. The Misa characterize it I was reminded of parts of Orff's Criolla became extremely popular. It was Carmina burana and Britten's church parables, sung all over the world and its recordings though here the accompaniment to soloists were sold in huge amounts. Almost 25 years and chorus is provided by varying instrumental after its birth, millions of CD's of the piece combinations including, besides percussion, a were sold when José Carreras recorded it in guitar, accordion, five-string charango and 1988. various other Latin-American folk instruments.
4 Producciones Lastra S.L - C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. (28007) Madrid – Tel: 91 521 77 23 - Mov: 676 929 479 - E-mail: [email protected] Press releases
1. Carreras cantará en el Palau la 'Misa Criolla' y dúos con Teresa Salgueiro “Barcelona--Josep Carreras presentó anoche en un hotel barcelonés los dos próximos conciertos del Festival del Mil.leni con encendidos elogios a la música de...” http://www.jcarreras.com/articles/2000/epo01052000. stm
2. Noche Hispanica at the Arena di Verona: Before and After “Tomorrow's concert will be very important for me, almost more important than the Gala which was an honour for me professionally...” http://www.jcarreras.com/contribute/c_artic015.htm
3. Carreras interpretará con Madredeus una pieza inédita del grupo ”Misa Criolla del compositor argentino Ariel ... conferencia de prensa que la Misa Criolla es una obra «fácil en ... de una manera visceral». Misa Criolla para tenor, coro mixto...” http://www.jcarreras.com/articles/2000/edv01062000. stm
Misa Criolla Terraza dil Dumo di Milano, 2010
4. José Carreras, Madredeus y Ariel Ramírez se reunirán en el Festival del Milenio “Misa Criolla», que se estrena en ... de que consta la «Misa Criolla», obra original del argentino, ... en su género» la «Misa Criolla», una composición que «funde...” http://www.jcarreras.com/articles/2000/abc01052000.stm
5. Sound Recordings Review--Ramirez: Misa Criolla “Philips first recorded Ariel Ramirez's Misa Criolla shortly after its composition in 1964; it went on to become one of their best-selling discs—some three million ...” http://www.jcarreras.com/articles/pre_1990/gra1188a.stm
6. José Carreras en el Luna Park de Buenos Aires “El Martes próximo se realizará en el Luna Park una nueva puesta de la "Misa Criolla", de Ariel Ramírez, que contará con la presencia del tenor José Carreras como intérprete principal...” http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=81688
7. Llangollen Festival Misa Criolla – José Carreras “S4C has live and exclusive coverage of iconic tenor José Carreras’ concert from the Llangollen International Musical Festival on Sunday, 15 July...” http://www.s4c.co.uk/sched/e_press_level2.shtml?id=112
8. Duomo di Milano Misa Criolla – José Carreras Josè Carreras canterà sulle terrazze del Duomo di Milano in una serie di tre concerti che fanno parte della rassegna organizzata per raccogliere fondi che serviranno al restauro della guglia maggiore della Cattedrale. http://www.vatican.va/news_services/or/or_quo/interviste/2010/154q05b1.html
5 Producciones Lastra S.L - C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. (28007) Madrid – Tel: 91 521 77 23 - Mov: 676 929 479 - E-mail: [email protected] About Misa Criolla
Luis Antonio de Villena El País - Madrid, 1983
The idea of reclaiming folklore in any nation as an integrated part of its national culture is, of course, not new. But perhaps it is more so the idea of transforming that folklore into a musical creation of first-class virtuosity, without lessening its value or depriving it of its moving force. This is what Ariel Ramírez, one of the most important folklorists of America today, has done with the popular music of his country, Argentina."
Napoleón Cabrera Clarín - Buenos Aires, l964
In his Misa Criolla - as in most of his works - Ariel Ramírez knows how to keep himself within folkloric projection with a high degree of sincerity and respect which refuses demagogic complicity. The spiritual balance is exemplary. He knows how to reach emotional peaks without deviating from the nobility of his means The devotion with which it was received at the Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires Misa Criolla recording – Laredo – Spain, 1988 was yet another proof, though this was not necessary, that its majestic premises were not, in fact, too big for it. The work is beautiful, warmly American, and achieves a synthesis ranging from the wild to the is academic; this places it as unique in the Argentine art of our time.
Jacques Lonchampt Le Monde - Paris, 1970
The Misa Criolla (Messe Creole) by the Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez, which all of a sudden, in a few months became widely celebrated thanks to an admirable recording, is one of the rare masterpieces originated by the recent reform in liturgy.
The alliance of the ordinary of the Misa in Spanish, the instruments (guitar, clavichord, drums, gong, tom-toms, jingles, etc.) and folkloric rhythms occur in it miraculously: the tragic "Vidala" an "Baguala" of the Kyrie": the tender voices of the choir and the solos "torn from the soul"; the joyfulness of the carnavalito yaraví in the Gloria, with its quick interchange of responses like in the "negro spirituals".
The sparkling guitars and charangos, the prayers, the gliding and motionless of the Domine Fili Unigenite and the simple and candid gaiety of the Sanctus; the vibrating, obsessed rhythm of the "Chacarera Trunca", which underlines the rotund affirmations of the Credo with the wonderful parapharase of the Resurrection; "Carnaval" from Cochabamba for the mirth of the angels in heaven; finally the admirable Agnus Dei, luminous like Mozart's."
6 Producciones Lastra S.L - C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. (28007) Madrid – Tel: 91 521 77 23 - Mov: 676 929 479 - E-mail: [email protected] Michael Cookson – Naxos - The Choral Arts Society of Washington 2004
For this release entitled Celebrating Sacred Rhythms, Naxos have chosen American conductor Joseph Holt who made his Choral Arts debut conducting the Misa Criolla The accomplishment of Ariel Ramírez with the Misa Criolla is beyond comparison. The Argentine composer and pianist Ariel Ramírez is widely acclaimed throughout South America for his unique synthesis of popular and liturgical styles. He is represented here by his settings of the Misa Criolla and the Navidad Nuestra.
The accomplishment of Ariel Ramírez with the Misa Criolla is beyond comparison. Over forty years after its creation in 1964, this Mass is considered one of the utmost expressions of popular music in Argentina. It has transcended international borders to gain worldwide acclaim Even Ramírez, a composer with a career of long-standing, could not have foreseen that it would become such a famous work amongst his prolific output comprising compositions for chorus, voice and piano.
Musically speaking, the Misa falls into a category somewhere between strict academic and urban popular but. Ramírez does not intend to preserve folklore but to achieve an artistic recreation of folk-derived traits within a personal compositional style. The Misa Criolla consists of musical settings of theKyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei.
With liturgical texts in Spanish it is one of the first Catholic Masses to be composed in a language other than Latin. Each part of the Mass is based on either traditional Argentine dances or songs. The vidala-baguala for the Kyrie, refers to the lyrical vocal form of Bolivia and northern Argentina.
The Mass is written for tenor, mixed chorus, percussion, Andean instruments, double bass and harpsichord or piano. It should be noted that Ramírez is considered today the first within the ‘nativist’ tradition to introduce the piano in the performance of traditional music in Argentina. In this Naxos recording, however, conductor Joseph Holt utilises the charango, a small guitar made of an armadillo shell, with the guitar replacing the keyboard part.
The Andean notched flute, quena and the panpipes, siku, which are also featured in this recording, follow the Argentine criollo tradition where they usually accompany the charango, the guitar and the bombo.
The Misa Criolla comes across as an appealing and inspiring work right from the first bars of the opening movement Kyrie. The atmosphere provided by the excellent performers is electric and at times magical. The three tenor parts lack the individual character of the acclaimed performance by the eminent and charismatic tenor José Carreras, on his 1987 Philips account, but the collective effect is thrilling.
The first section of the lively carnival mood of the Gloria is dominated by the guitars before the tenors and choir gain prominence. Alongside the heavy dance elements of the Credo distinctive use is made of panpipes. The carnival mood of the Sanctus features guitars. The superbly performed closing movement Agnus Deiis notable for its dream-like and softly coloured textures.
7 Producciones Lastra S.L - C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. (28007) Madrid – Tel: 91 521 77 23 - Mov: 676 929 479 - E-mail: [email protected] Salvador de Madariaga London, 1965)
"...without abandoning its tone, without aspiring to the vulgarity of imitating a bourgeois tone, it maintains a ritual level and rises in intensity without effort. With this work of undoubtable universal value, Argentina gives to the world an example of how it is possible to incorporate the people with greater culture by means of the safest way, which is that of religion. It is to be expected that the whole of the Christian world will be able and will know how to enjoy promptly the beauty and originality of this admirable Misa Criolla."
Programme Llangollen Festival 2007 Ariel Ramirez. Born in Santa Fe, Argentina, he roamed the South American hinterland in his José Carreras sings Misa Criolla early twenties playing piano and studying regional musical traditions. After a brief stint Symphonic concert – 1st part in Buenos Aires, he spent several years in Europe, studying in Madrid and Vienna and teaching music in a German convent. El Eco de tu voz Albéniz Returning to South America in 1954, he completed his musical training in Buenos Lejana Tierra Mia Gardel Aires, where his politically engaged popular songs rapidly earned him renown as a leader Silencio Cantatore Lama of the nueva cancion movement.
Vurria Rendine His breakthrough onto the international stage came in 1967 with the first performance and recording of the Misa Criolla (Mass in Native Cioffi Na Sera ´e Maggio Style).
L´Oreneta Morera The success of this innovative work owes much to its timing. Set in Spanish rather than Pel Teu Amor Ribas Latin, it was one of the first major masses composed after the Second Vatican Council Misa Criolla mandated the use of the vernacular. It also profited from the period's burgeoning interest Andean Pieces Los Calchakis in folk music. As a result, the work quickly captured the imagination of audiences Misa Criolla Ariel Ramírez worldwide and has received thousands of performances. Kyrie The mass's reception abroad, where its style was perceived as novel and exotic, actually Gloria helped stimulate appreciation for native culture among more skeptical audiences back Credo in Argentina. Like all Ramirez' major works, the Misa Criolla draws substantially on the folk Sanctus traditions in which he immersed himself as a young man. Agnus Dei
Bis - José Carreras + Piano Lorenzo Bavaj
8 Producciones Lastra S.L - C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. (28007) Madrid – Tel: 91 521 77 23 - Mov: 676 929 479 - E-mail: [email protected] Company references
Among the most renowned music agencies in Spain, Producciones Lastra is proud to present and promote PRODUCCIONES LASTRA the biggest names in latin music, dance, and C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. entertainment from Argentina and Spain. 28007 Madrid Tel (+34) 91 521 77 23 Since 1978 Producciones Lastra has vast experience in organizing music events, with a wide variety of genres PRODUCCIONES LASTRA BCN including tango, folk, opera, classical and world music. Producciones Lastra has been organizing C/ Numància 111-115, Local 2 successful large and small scale events for both 08029 Barcelona individuals and companies worldwide. Tel (+34) 93 181 28 06
With offices located in Madrid During the last 3 decades Producciones Lastra has and Barcelona, Producciones worked in collaboration with some of the most Lastra provides an unparalleled important festivals and venues, organizing more concert booking service to our than 6000 concerts and promotions that guarantees clients in Spain and the rest of us as one of the most stable agencies in Spain. Many the world, having promoted a prestigious cultural organizations have confided in our wide range of events from large- expertise, ranging from “Teatro Albéniz” in Madrid scale concerts attended by or “Palau de la Música” in Barcelona to “Suntory Hall” thousands, private corporate in Tokio and “Carnegie Hall” in New York. events and festivals.
Highlights from the most recent Producciones Lastra is proud of its long association seasons include: with José Carreras, since he recorded the famous Argentinean masterpiece Misa Criolla which has - José Carreras sings Misa encompassed a huge range of high profile projects around the world over many years. Criolla – Japan Tour 2005 - Grandes del Tango – Accentuating the requirement for creative and original Veranos de la Villa de Madrid programming at various stages, our work also encompasses a commitment to a wide range of music 2002-2005 from contemporary to world music. - Los Calchakis – Lebanon Tour 2005 With an emphasize on creating projects that combine our artists, orchestras and groups with the leading - José Cura – Concerto di festivals and concert presenters around the Natale di la RAI – Italia 2007 world, Producciones Lastra has achieved notable - José Carreras Gala success in the creation of events that have a strong artistic vision coupled to conceptual reality. We also Concert – Festival work with other major international figures from the Internacional de Llagollen – music world who realize the benefit of our approach to project creation and development. Walles 2007 - José Carreras Misa Criolla Accentuating the requirement for creative and original Duomo di Milano – Gala programming at various stages, our work also concerts - July 2010 encompasses a commitment to a wide range of music from contemporary to world music.
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Producciones Lastra S.L - C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq. (28007) Madrid – Tel: 91 521 77 23 - Mov: 676 929 479 - E-mail: [email protected]