Healing through music: Zia Singers to sing beatitudes to a broken world in ABQ
Jan. 27—Tuvayhun is the Aramaic word for blessed.
Santa Fe's Zia Singers are coming to Albuquerque for the first time to sing beatitudes to a broken world. The concert will take place on Sunday, Feb. 4, at Central United Methodist Church.
Penned by the contemporary Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen, "Tuvayhun: Beatitudes for a Wounded World" conveys a message of inclusion, trust, kindness, compassion, humanity and mutual respect.
"The composer is really big in the choral world right now," said conductor Aaron Howe.
The Zias performed Arnesen's "Magnificat" in 2022.
The piece "was so powerful and intoxicating, we all knew we wanted to perform more of Arnesen's incredible works," Howe said. "From the moment I heard the movement 'Song for Justice,' I was sold on performing 'Tuvayhun,' " he added. "The multicultural music and social justice themes dovetailed with my vision for Zia as a choir that promotes community. It was the perfect — and needless to say — timely choice."
As part of the composer's message to embrace differences, the piece incorporates sounds from classical, jazz and world music.
"Tuvayhun" librettist Charles Anthony Silvestri said, "if we come together — we might heal the despair and repair the fractures that are threatening our fragile world."
Two soloists and members of the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra will accompany Zia's 45 singers, Howe said.
Sevda Choir soloist Willa Roberts will sing in Aramaic, the language of Christ and the Apostles.
"She's singing in the Arabic styles with all the miasmas and quarter tones," Howe said.
Katherine Garcia-Ortega of Santa Fe's Michael's High School is the child soloist.
A string section, a solo flute, percussion and an oud, a Middle Eastern stringed instrument, will accompany the singers.
"It has a Middle East feel, but the chorus sings in English," Howe said.
The chorus has fans in Albuquerque, he added.
"We have a lot of people who know of us in Albuquerque," Howe said, "And maybe they don't want to drive up to Santa Fe in the winter."
Arnesen was an avid follower of MTV and the Cure when he was 10 years old, but he also studied piano, sang as a chorister in the Nidaros Cathedral Boys' Choir and received his music education at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim, Norway. Choral music became his greatest passion. He is one of the most frequently performed contemporary choral composers.
The group will also perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, at the New Mexico Museum of Art's St. Francis Auditorium, 107 W. Palace Ave. in Santa Fe.
