What can one single voice do amid all the noise of the world? That is a question central to composer Tony Solitro's "Canción Exaltada."
Drawing heavy inspiration from the Puerto Rican poet and activist Julia de Burgos, Solitro creates a musical narrative about finding your voice.
Instruments play song-like melodies, soaring above a churning rhythmic undercurrent. There are moments of more subdued introspection, but overall the pervading feelings are joy and exuberance.
And while each individual artist may feel like they only have a small voice, incredible things can happen when everyone joins together in a common cause.
The Victory Players:
Tianhui Ng, music director
Angela Santiago, ensemble manager
Nathan Ben-Yehuda, piano
Clare Monfredo, cello
Giovanni A. Perez, flute
Robert Rocheteau, percussion
Eric Schultz, clarinet
Elly Toyoda, violin
You can watch an interview with Solitro below, with a transcript in both English and Spanish.
Spanish language translation: Damaris Pérez-Pizarro
El Puerto Rico is a collaboration of the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MIFA), New England Public Media and GBH Music, which originally published a version of this post.