Legends of Brazil: A Musical Celebration for 200 Years of Friendship

Drew Peterson, pianist

Josephine Baker

John Edward Hasse, guest curator

Felix Conteras, conga

Ellington Carthan, pianist and narrator

Jeffrey Mumford, guest curator

Annie Jacobs-Perkins, cello

Katerina Burton, soprano

CAAPA Choir

Robin De Jesús, actor

David Strathairn, actor

Kevork Mourad, artist

Derek Goldman, playwright/director

José Sacín, bass baritone (Don Quihote)

Israel Lozano, tenor (Master Peter)

Jennifer Zetlan, soprano (Trujaman)

Ricardo Marlow, Flamenco guitar

Philip Kennicott, guest curator

Hany Hassan FAIA, visuals

Flávio Chamis, guest curator

André Mehmari, pianist and composer

Tatjana Mead Chamis, viola

Elin Melgarejo, vocalist

Jerod Tate, guest curator

Nino Rota, composer

Legends of Brazil: A Musical Celebration for 200 Years of Friendship

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The year 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Brazil. Join PCE this November for a bicentennial celebration that showcases two centuries of incredible music from South America, from the earliest works by composers native to Brazil to a world premiere commission by André Mehmari, a leading figure on the Brazilian classical scene today. Presented by guest curator Flávio Chamis (composer, conductor, and educator), the concert offers a panoramic view of Brazilian concert music. The program includes a tempestuous classical overture by José Maurício Nunes, the modern and US premiere of Francisco Mignone’s Quadros Amazônicos (an orchestral suite based on myths from the Amazon), Heitor Villa-Lobos’s Bachiana Brasileiras no. 4, a set of popular Brazilian songs performed by DC’s own Elin Melgarejo, and chamber music featuring Latin GRAMMY-nominated violist, Tatjana Mead Chamis.

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Browse the playbill and read Flávio Chamis's program notes.

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Free events!

Part of our ensemble-in-residence activities at Georgetown University

Thursday, November 14 at 6pm: join us for the PCE Prelude, a free conversation at Georgetown University (and live-streamed) previewing the concerts. (Registration required)

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(SOLD OUT!) Friday, November 15, at 12:30pm: guest artist André Mehmari gives a free performance as part of Georgetown University's Friday Music Series. (Registration required)

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Tickets

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Program

Concert

Legends of Brazil: A Musical Celebration for 200 Years of Friendship

Tue. Nov. 19, 2024 7:30p.m

Wed. Nov. 20, 2024 7:30p.m

Terrace Theater | The Kennedy Center | 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC

Presented without intermission

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Flávio Chamis, guest curator

Lucas Ashby, percussion

Tatjana Mead Chamis, viola

André Mehmari, piano and composer

Elin Melgarejo, vocalist

PostClassical Ensemble conducted by Angel Gil-Ordóñez

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Program:

Zequinha de Abreu arr. Jamberê Cerqueira: Tico-Tico no Fubá
Padre José Maurício Nunes Garcia: Zemira
André Mehmari: Sonata for Viola

Francisco Mignone: Selection from Tres Valsas Brasileiras
Francisco Mignone: Saci and Caapora from Quadros Amazônicos
Brazilian popular songs arranged for voice and chamber orchestra: Odeón, One Note Samba, Labrinto, Samba em Preludio

Heitor Villa-Lobos: Preludio from Bachiana Brasileiras no. 4

André Mehmari: Rag Chorado. A Celebratory Humoreske (world premiere work for piano and orchestra)

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What people are saying

So many thanks for that most inspiring, capacious evening. With PCE’s usual ability to surprise and delight… that symphony was astonishing…

Kate

Your leadership and dramatic shaping of the Symphony last night was truly masterful - and so inspiring. I know I’ll never forget this experience. Thank you, Maestro!

Chris

I loved the intimacy of the ensemble and the aching beauty of the melody repeating and recurring and turning up where I did not expect it . And I found the quality of the sound thrilling.

That was my take on the concert --that and the tears that it brought to my eyes, simply to be there, to be present at the creation of something so beautiful..

Michaele

What a perfect PCE evening, wonderful concert and lovely gathering

Liz

Angel, You are so musical! I've played the 4th twice, it was the first Mahler I heard as a kid, and I'm invariably disappointed that conductors don't let it breathe. U nailed it.

David

Congratulations again to you and your superb ensemble on a wonderful and provocative performance in the Terrace Theater last evening. As always, we learned something from this concert and it was fun, too.

Alec

Everything about it was sheer delight, including the lively and interesting talk at the end…

Catherine

Legends of Brazil: A Musical Celebration for 200 Years of Friendship

Legends of Brazil: A Musical Celebration for 200 Years of Friendship

Free events!

Part of our ensemble-in-residence activities at Georgetown University

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