La Diosa

Mysticism, folklore, and feminine energy pervade this original new program that celebrates the vibrant musical traditions that flourished in the missions and cathedrals of colonial Latin America alongside the World Premiere of Soy la Diosa by Nicaraguan-American composer Gilda Lyons. 

Beginning with José de Torres’ ecstatic cantata Afectos Amantes, this program offers mesmerizing harmonies and swirling vocal lines that evoke divine presence in both the heavens and earthly realms. Additional songs and instrumental music preserved in manuscripts from present-day Bolivia and Peru combine Indigenous, European, and African influences to create a style full of rhythmic vitality, expressive contrast, and improvisatory flair. At the heart of the program is “Soy la Diosa,” a new commission by Nicaraguan-American composer Gilda Lyons. This bilingual four-movement work for soprano and period instrument ensemble celebrates the essence of the divine feminine that remains ever-present in our daily lives.