On January 24 at 3:00 p.m., the stage of Teatro Esperanza will host the concert Pre-Incan Sketches, a musical program that brings together history, identity, and emotion. Flutist and founder of the Dolce Suono Ensemble, Mimi Stillman, spoke about this presentation, which combines chamber music, and Latin American repertoire, forging a strong connection with the community.
“We are very excited to present this concert at Esperanza,” Stillman said. “Pre-Incan Sketches revolves around a work by composer Gabriela Lena Frank, an American composer with Peruvian and Lithuanian Jewish roots, and her music reflects that cultural richness.”
The central work of the program, Four Pre-Incan Sketches, is inspired by the anthropology and archaeology of Peru. “It is a piece based on cultures that predate the Incas—lesser-known peoples and the music emerge from the composer’s visits to museums in Peru. It is an imagined recreation of ancestral sounds,” she explained.
Artists united by collaboration and Latin Music
The Dolce Suono Ensemble celebrates more than 20 years of artistic trajectory and 71 world premieres, and for this concert it is joined by musicians with whom it shares deep artistic relationships. “Charles Abramovic has been my musical partner for over 20 years, and I have been performing with percussionist Gabriel Glovis-Hoenich for more than 15 years. We are a trio that constantly explores Latin music,” Stillman noted.
The program will also feature soprano Gisela Rosario Santos, who will be performing with the ensemble for the first time. “She is a student at the Curtis Institute of Music, where I also studied, and we are happy to share the stage with her,” Stillman commented.
As a special guest, Daniel de Jesús will participate as well. He is a cellist and director of Artists and Musicians of Latin America (AMLA) program at Esperanza. “We have collaborated with Daniel for years, and his work with students and communities is essential. He will perform Gabriela Lena Frank’s work with me,” she said.
Classical, popular, and community
The repertoire will include classical music and Puerto Rican songs by Rafael Hernández, Noel Estrada, and El Topo. “We want to connect with the neighborhood audience, where there is a large Puerto Rican community. Music has an almost magical power to bring people together,” Stillman emphasized.
The concert will last approximately one hour and will conclude with an open conversation with the audience. “Everyone is invited. We’re excited to share this experience together with the community,” she concluded.
For more information: www.esperanza.us
$15 General Admission, Free for Students & Seniors (60+)
