Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park

Augustana member Bruce Tammen is the founder and artistic director of the Chicago Chorale and shared this announcement:

Chicago Chorale will present performances of Misatango/Misa a Buenos Aires, by Martín Palmeri, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Old Town, March 25th at 8 PM, and at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, at 55th and Kimbark, March 26 at 3 PM.

Composed in 1996, Misatango is a setting of the Roman Catholic Latin mass in tango nuevo style, utilizing the harmonies, syncopated rhythms, and sensual qualities of tango, the national music and dance of Argentina. The work received world-wide attention in 2013, when it was performed in Rome, during the International Festival of Music and Sacred Art in the Vatican. The organizers chose Misatango specifically to pay tribute to the elevation of the former cardinal of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis in 2013.

Structurally, Misatango consists of the same movements as the traditional Latin mass— Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus/Benedictus, and Agnus Dei. But the composer introduces the emblematic instrument of tango, the bandoneon,
along with a string orchestra (violins, viola, cello and double bass) and piano. A mezzo-soprano solo part punctuates the work, the bulk of which is sung by a mixed choir.

It has been quite an adventure for Chorale to step out of its usual repertoire to learn this brilliant, colorful, attractive work. We promise you a first-rate performance, and we’re confident you will love it. For tickets and further information visit chicagochorale.org or call (773) 720-8497