In January, 2021, New England Public Media and the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts Victory Theatre (MIFA) joined forces to present El Puerto Rico 3: Identity Duets — a virtual chamber concert event that featured the work of contemporary Puerto Rican composers performed by The Victory Players Contemporary Music Ensemble under the direction of Music Director Tianhui Ng.
The goal of MIFA’s “El Puerto Rico” is to acquaint audiences in Holyoke, western New England and beyond with the exciting work of living Puerto Rican composers. In past years, the Victory Players Contemporary Music Ensemble — a group of young and highly accomplished instrumentalists who share a passion for new music — come to Holyoke to work with Tianhui Ng in a residency that takes them to local public schools and culminates in concert for the public.
COVID-19 necessitated a pivot to a virtual format for El Puerto Rico 3 and MIFA reached out to New England Public Media for technical assistance and a virtual platform.
The virtual event included duets by Puerto Rican composers Gabriel Bouche Caro, Carlos Carrillo, Johanny Navarro, Christian A. Quiñones, Iván Enrique Rodríguez, and Omar Surillo.
Tianhui Ng is the Music Director of the Pioneer Valley Symphony, Boston Opera Collaborative, the Victory Players, and White Snake Projects. In addition, Tian teaches at Mount Holyoke College as the Director of Orchestral Studies.
In addition to the performances, there was a robust series of interviews and a Q & A session.