Chritsmas Newsletter   2006 - 2007

         

Dear Friends & Fans,

 

I am happy to write you to say "hello" and to let you know what I will be doing during the last months of 2006 and the projects that I am working on for the upcoming year 2007.   I would also like to tell you some very good news and to let you know about some of the projects that I am working on right now.

 

2006 had been a great year, and I am happy because I have had many opportunities to share with people my love for the Latin American and Spanish music.  I have been singing and teaching in the US, Central America and Europe to interesting and enthusiastic audiences.

 

One of the highlights of the year was the big success of The Barcelona Festival of Song 2006.   The center piece of it was the Course of History and Interpretation of the Spanish and Latin American Art Song. Participants and faculty came from nine different countries and we also had seven public concerts of very fine artists.   You can have more information about this event at its website www.barcelonafestivalofsong.com

 

My CD "To my Native City - Art Songs of Latin America"  had been doing great and is being received very well for public and critics. This CD was consider for the Latin Grammy in the Classical Music category.   Thank to all fans who have been supportive and whose contribution for the complexion of the CD was definitive.

 

During the first part of 2006 I performed at the Festival de Música Contemporánea of El Salvador in Central America.  It was a great experience. I also visited for third time the University of South Florida where I taught and also recorded a DVD dedicated to the History and Interpretation of the Brazilian Art Song.

 

My book, The Latin American Art Song: A Critical Anthology and Interpretative Guide for Singers is also being very well received for the international academic community. It has received wonderful reviews, the most recent one published in the November/December 2006 issue of The Journal of Singing written by Judit Carman.  You can read the entire review by clicking here.  I am very happy of seeing the good reception of my work!

 

My last tour to the US was also very productive; I had the honor of singing at the Smithsonian Castle in Washington D.C. at a fundraising event call Smithsonian con sabor!.  This event was dedicated to highlight the different expressions of Colombian culture and it was a great opportunity to show the contribution of Colombian composers to the art song genre.

 

In October I gave a lecture and a master class at New York University where students and faculty where very receptive and we are already planning a longer event for 2007.  In New York I also gave a workshop about the Latin American Art Song at Columbia University for the New York Teachers of Singing Association.  This event was a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about the Latin American Art Song among the teachers of New York.  The reception and interest of my work was very enthusiastic. 

 

From New York I went to perform at Loyola University in Chicago.  The experience there was great! after the performance, students and people in the audience opened a session of questions about the music and its composers.  I really enjoyed that because it gave me the opportunity to explain a little about the repertoire and its composers.

 

In November I participated at the Festival de Música de Cádiz at a conference at the Universidad de Cádiz where I read the paper: Agua, espejo y puente: El papel de la mujer  en la creación, desarrollo y difusión de la canción artística  latinoamericana.  The article explored the contribution of women to the creation and development of the Latin American Art Song genre.  This article will be publish in next year book Papeles del festival de Cádiz.

 

As you all know, I am always developing new projects, so let me start with that:

 

1. Recording projects: I am developing a new recording project of Colombian songs with guitar player Edwin Guevara.  We are recording during the month of December and hope to have the CD available next Spring, so, I hope you are interested in buying it in advance and at the same time support our project.  In a few days I  will send you and e-mail letting you know how you can participate on this project.

 

2. Book Projects: I am working in my next book the Complete works for voice and piano of Colombian composer Jaime León (1921).  I hope this new publication will be available next Fall 2007.

 

3. Barcelona Festival of Song 2007: The next BFOS promises to be as successful as the 2006.  We already commission the composition of the new song cycle by Cuban composer Walfrido Dominguez.  The festival will have a entire section dedicated to guitar and guitarrist.  Complete information about the festival you will find at its website www.barcelonafestivalofsong.com

 

In the next days I will be updating this newsletter with more information about future projects, so come back, keep in touch and visit from time to time my photo gallery where I am sure you will find nice surprises!

 

Finally I would like to thank all of you who had been supportive during 2006.  I wish all of you a wonderful 2007, full of happiness, new projects, music, health and love in your lives. 

 

Yours in song,

Patricia