M for Montevideo

Julij Betetto Hall, Academy of Music

12th April, 2026  -  20:00

Agustin Pennino          COUNTERTENOR

Satoshi Kubo                 PIANO

A programme where the intimate world of Felix Mendelssohn’s Lieder meets the rich and often overlooked song tradition of Uruguay. Placing Mendelssohn’s lyrical miniatures alongside works by extraordinary Uruguayan women composers—Carmen Barradas, Paulina Sastre de Pons, Marita Perdomo, Celia Correa Luna, and M. Esther Roosen—this programme traces unexpected resonances across continents, languages, and centuries.

Mendelssohn’s Lieder embody the elegance and clarity of the German Romantic tradition, where poetry and melody intertwine with effortless grace. His songs distil emotion into finely crafted musical gestures, revealing a composer deeply attuned to the expressive possibilities of the human voice. In dialogue with these works are songs from Uruguay that reflect a different but equally compelling musical landscape—one shaped by the meeting of European heritage, Latin American poetry, and distinctive national identity.

The composers represented here were pioneering figures within Uruguay’s cultural life. Their works span a remarkable range of styles: from the modernist experimentation and bold harmonic language of Carmen Barradas, to the lyrical sensitivity of Paulina Sastre de Pons, the poetic intimacy of Marita Perdomo, the expressive warmth of Celia Correa Luna, and the refined musical craftsmanship of M. Esther Roosen. Though each voice is unique, they share a commitment to elevating poetry through music and to expanding the repertoire for voice and piano.

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