Season  
2012  

José  Carreras  
 

 
sings  Misa  Criolla    
Written in 1963 by Ariel Ramirez, Misa Criolla has become one of
the most wellknownand oft-performed South American choral works  
throughout the world. A product of the composer's long study of
 
Argentine folk music, the piece synthesizes popular and liturgical
styles, drawing on the rhythms and melodies of Argentina and other                                                                                                                                                                  
South American cultures. Almost 25 years after its birth, millions of
CD's of the piece were sold when José Carreras recorded it in1988.

P r o d u c c i o n e s   L a s t r a   S . L   –   C /   E s t r e l l a   P o l a r   1 2 ,   5 º   -­‐   2 8 0 0 7   -­‐   M a d r i d  
  
Producciones  Lastra  has  represented  and  produced  
all  the  Misa  Criolla  tours  interpreted  by  Ariel  
Ramirez  and  José  Carreras  since  1987.  

 José  Carreras    

 Misa  Criolla  
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
   Piano:  Lorenzo  Bavaj
Musicians: Grupo Alturas

   
                       
 
 

José Carreras occupies a privileged position in La Bohème, Tosca, Werther, Don Carlo,
the music world. Born in Barcelona, he studied Carmen, La Forza del Destino, I Pagliacci,
music in his hometown. In 1970 he started his L’Elisir d’Amore and Un Ballo in Maschera.
professional career in the Gran Teatre del Liceu
of Barcelona with Nabucco and Lucrezia Borgia. Together with his opera activities, he has
given frequent recitals in the world’s most
His meteoric musical career resulted in early famous halls. He has performed at Carnegie
debuts at the world’s most prestigious opera Hall and the Avery Fisher Hall of New York;
theatres and festivals, including the Teatro alla the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and the
Scala of Milan (“Un Ballo in Maschera”, 1975); Royal Albert Hall in London; the Salle Pleyel
the New York Metropolitan Opera House in Paris, at the Musikverein and Konzerthaus
(“Tosca”, 1974); San Francisco Opera (“La of Vienna, the Berlin Philharmonie, Suntory
Bohème”, 1973); the Vienna Staatsoper Hall and the NHK Hall in Tokyo, the Grosses
(“Rigoletto”, 1974); London’s Royal Opera Festspielhaus of Salzburg, the Philarmonie
House (“La Traviata”, 1974); The Oper of and the Hercules Saal of Munich.
Munich (“Tosca”, 1974); Chicago’s Lyrics
Opera (“Un Ballo in Maschera”, 1976); and the
Festivals of Salzburg (“Don Carlo”, 1976); Aix
en Provence (“Roberto Devereux”, 1977);
Edinburgh (“Verdi Requiem”, 1982) and Verona
(“Carmen”, 1984).

José Carreras has collaborated with the most

renowned orchestra conductors, among others
Herbert von Karajan (an artistic and personal
relationship which lasted over twelve years and
included performances in Salzburg, Berlin and
Vienna), Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Muti, Lorin
Maazel, Riccardo Chailly, Colin Davis, Giuseppe
Sinopoli, James Levine, Carlo Maria Giulini,
Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Metha, and with
pre-eminent stage directors such as: Franco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe3HdUgHktg  
Zeffirelli, Jean Pierre Ponnelle, Giorgio
Strehler, Luigi Comencini, Harold Prince.

His repertoire includes over sixty operas, of

which the following stand out: Andrea Chenier
2  
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His wide concert repertoire includes over 600 titles of
the most diverse styles ranging from the baroque to José Carreras Awards
contemporary music.. His extensive discography
includes over 150 recordings, notably 50 complete In 2004 he received the Civil
operas,oratories, popular and classical recitals. He has Order Golden Cross of the
been awarded many Gold and Platinum Discs world- Social Solidarity bestowed by
wide. Her Majesty the Queen of
Spain, doña Sofía; the
José Carreras has performed the leading role in
National Order Steaua
several operatic films for Television, Cinema and
Video, including La Bohème, I Lombardi, Andrea Romaniei (Etoile de la
Chenier, Turandot, Carmen, Missa de Rèquiem de Roumanie) of Romania in a
Verdi, Don Carlo, La Forza del Destino, Stiffelio, degree of Grand Officer and
Fedora and Jerusalem. the Big Cross of the Order of
  Merit of the Federal Republic
As for his cinema activities, two films stand out: of Germany.
Romanza Final, in which José Carreras portrays the
life of Julián Gayarre and A Life Story, a report on Mr. He has also been awarded the
Carreras life and artistic career. A Life Story, title Doctor Honoris Causa by
nominated in Hollywood, was awarded an
the University of Barcelona
International Emmy Award in 1993 by the Academy of
(Spain), the Universities of
Arts and Sciences of the US Television.
Loughborough and Sheffield
Among the numerous national and international prizes (United Kingdom), the
and distinctions which have been bestowed upon José University Mendeleyev of
Carreras, there are the Grand Prix du Disque from the Moscow (Russia), the
Academy of Paris; the Luigi Illica Prize; a 1991 University of Camerino
Grammy Award; the Sir Lawrence Olivier Award for his (Italy), the Napier University
performance in “Stiffelio” at the Royal Opera House, in Edinburgh (Scotland), the
Covent Garden; Kammersänger and Lifetime Honorary
Rutgers University (United
Member of the Vienna Staatsoper; Honorary Member
of the London Royal Academy of Music; he received States), the Miguel Hernández
the Gold Medal of the New York Spanish Institute; the University of Elche (Spain),
Gold Medal of the City of Vienna ; the Gold Medal of the University of Coimbra
Fine Arts bestowed by His Majesty the King of Spain; (Portugal), the National
the Gold Medal of the City of Barcelona; the Gold University of Music in
Medal of the Generalitat of Catalunya; Prince of Bucharest (Romania) , the
Asturias Award 1991; and The Albert Schweitzer Music University of Marburg
Award 1996. He is Honorary President of the London
(Germany) and, most
Arts Orchestra.
recently, the University of
He is Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Pécs (Hungary).
and Chevalier dans l'Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur de
la République Française; Gran Croce di Cavaliere and
Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana; Honour
Medal of the Bavarian Government, Grand Honour
Award of the Austrian Republic, Komandor’s Cross of
the Order of Merit of the Polish Republic, Commandeur
de la Médaille du Sahametrei of the Royal Cambodian
Government and Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO.
 

3  
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He has also been awarded the title Doctor
Honoris Causa by the University of Barcelona
(Spain), the Universities of Loughborough and
Sheffield (United Kingdom), the University
Mendeleyev of Moscow (Russia), the University
of Camerino (Italy), the Napier University in
Edinburgh (Scotland), the Rutgers University
(United States), the Miguel Hernández
University of Elche (Spain), the University of
Coimbra (Portugal), the National University of
Music in Bucharest (Romania) , the University
of Marburg (Germany) and, most recently, the
University of Pécs (Hungary).

In 1992 José Carreras was engaged as Musical

Director of the memorable Olympic Games
held in Barcelona.

The 3 Tenors concerts offered by José Carreras

together with his colleagues Plácido Domingo
and Luciano Pavarotti, are now legendary.
Followed by world-wide audiences of over two
billion, they have created an unprecedented
impact in the world of opera. José Carreras sings Misa Criolla Japan Tour 2005

Since 1988, in addition to his professional Nothing better exemplifies the variety to be
activities, he presides with total dedication and heard in the Misa Criolla, though, than the
enthusiasm over the “José Carreras way it ranges from the Gloria, with its hints
International Leukaemia Foundation” of South American carnival, to the final Agnus
established in Barcelona and with branches in Dei with harpsichord accompaniment.
the United States, Switzerland and Germany.
Currently his Leukaemia Foundation is one of The first recording of the Misa Criolla took
his most important goals and priorities. place in 1964, sung by the choir of the
Basílica del Socorro and the folkloric male
Misa Criolla quartet 'Los Fronterizos', who sang the soloist
parts either one by one or together. The first
Entirely based on traditional rhythms live performance took place in Colón Theatre
(chacarera, carnavalito, estilo pampeano), it is in Buenos Aires in 1965 , the first European
also one of the first masses to be celebrated in performances were in March 1967, when
a modern language - being contemporary to Philips organized a tour of Ramírez and his
the Second Vatican Counc. Ariel Ramirez, born musicians in 7 European countries, starting in
in 1921, draws on the metres and rhythms of Amsterdam.
Latin-American music, and employs dance
forms from Argentina, Bolivia and Peru; it is The score was edited in 1965 in Buenos
music that is heartwarmingly approachable, of Aires, together with the score of the
a light, devotional kind. In trying to Christmas cantata Navidad Nuestra. The Misa
characterize it I was reminded of parts of Orff's Criolla became extremely popular. It was
Carmina burana and Britten's church parables, sung all over the world and its recordings
though here the accompaniment to soloists were sold in huge amounts. Almost 25 years
and chorus is provided by varying instrumental after its birth, millions of CD's of the piece
combinations including, besides percussion, a were sold when José Carreras recorded it in
guitar, accordion, five-string charango and 1988.
various other Latin-American folk instruments.

4  
Producciones  Lastra  S.L  -­‐  C/  Estrella  Polar  12,  5º  Izq.  (28007)  Madrid  –  Tel:  91  521  77  23  -­‐  Mov:  676  929  479  -­‐  E-­‐mail:  info@produccioneslastra.com  
Press releases

1. Carreras cantará en el Palau la 'Misa Criolla' y

dúos con Teresa Salgueiro
“Barcelona--Josep Carreras presentó anoche en un
hotel barcelonés los dos próximos conciertos del
Festival del Mil.leni con encendidos elogios a la
música de...”
http://www.jcarreras.com/articles/2000/epo01052000.
stm

2. Noche Hispanica at the Arena di Verona: Before

and After
“Tomorrow's concert will be very important for me,
almost more important than the Gala which was
an honour for me professionally...”
http://www.jcarreras.com/contribute/c_artic015.htm

3. Carreras interpretará con Madredeus una pieza

inédita del grupo
”Misa Criolla del compositor argentino Ariel ...
conferencia de prensa que la Misa Criolla es una
obra «fácil en ... de una manera visceral». Misa
Criolla para tenor, coro mixto...”
http://www.jcarreras.com/articles/2000/edv01062000.
stm

Misa Criolla Terraza dil Dumo di Milano, 2010

4. José Carreras, Madredeus y Ariel Ramírez se reunirán en el Festival del Milenio

“Misa Criolla», que se estrena en ... de que consta la «Misa Criolla», obra original del argentino, ... en
su género» la «Misa Criolla», una composición que «funde...”
http://www.jcarreras.com/articles/2000/abc01052000.stm

5. Sound Recordings Review--Ramirez: Misa Criolla

“Philips first recorded Ariel Ramirez's Misa Criolla shortly after its composition in 1964; it went on to
become one of their best-selling discs—some three million ...”
http://www.jcarreras.com/articles/pre_1990/gra1188a.stm

6. José Carreras en el Luna Park de Buenos Aires “El Martes próximo se realizará en el Luna Park
una nueva puesta de la "Misa Criolla", de Ariel Ramírez, que contará con la presencia del tenor José
Carreras como intérprete principal...”
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=81688

7. Llangollen Festival Misa Criolla – José Carreras “S4C has live and exclusive coverage of iconic
tenor José Carreras’ concert from the Llangollen International Musical Festival on Sunday, 15 July...”
http://www.s4c.co.uk/sched/e_press_level2.shtml?id=112

8. Duomo di Milano Misa Criolla – José Carreras

Josè Carreras canterà sulle terrazze del Duomo di Milano in una serie di tre concerti che fanno parte
della rassegna organizzata per raccogliere fondi che serviranno al restauro della guglia maggiore della
Cattedrale.
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/or/or_quo/interviste/2010/154q05b1.html  

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About Misa Criolla

Luis Antonio de Villena El País - Madrid, 1983

The idea of reclaiming folklore in any nation as an integrated part of its national culture is, of
course, not new. But perhaps it is more so the idea of transforming that folklore into a
musical creation of first-class virtuosity, without lessening its value or depriving it of its
moving force. This is what Ariel Ramírez, one of the most important folklorists of America
today, has done with the popular music of his country, Argentina."

Napoleón Cabrera Clarín - Buenos Aires, l964

In his Misa Criolla - as in most of his works -

Ariel Ramírez knows how to keep himself
within folkloric projection with a high degree
of sincerity and respect which refuses
demagogic complicity. The spiritual balance is
exemplary. He knows how to reach emotional
peaks without deviating from the nobility of
his means The devotion with which it was
received at the Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires
Misa Criolla recording – Laredo – Spain, 1988

was yet another proof, though this was not necessary, that its majestic premises were not, in
fact, too big for it. The work is beautiful, warmly American, and achieves a synthesis ranging
from the wild to the is academic; this places it as unique in the Argentine art of our time.

Jacques Lonchampt Le Monde - Paris, 1970

The Misa Criolla (Messe Creole) by the Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez, which all of a
sudden, in a few months became widely celebrated thanks to an admirable recording, is one
of the rare masterpieces originated by the recent reform in liturgy.

The alliance of the ordinary of the Misa in Spanish, the instruments (guitar, clavichord,
drums, gong, tom-toms, jingles, etc.) and folkloric rhythms occur in it miraculously: the
tragic "Vidala" an "Baguala" of the Kyrie": the tender voices of the choir and the solos "torn
from the soul"; the joyfulness of the carnavalito yaraví in the Gloria, with its quick
interchange of responses like in the "negro spirituals".

The sparkling guitars and charangos, the prayers, the gliding and motionless of the Domine
Fili Unigenite and the simple and candid gaiety of the Sanctus; the vibrating, obsessed
rhythm of the "Chacarera Trunca", which underlines the rotund affirmations of the Credo with
the wonderful parapharase of the Resurrection; "Carnaval" from Cochabamba for the mirth of
the angels in heaven; finally the admirable Agnus Dei, luminous like Mozart's."

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Michael Cookson – Naxos - The Choral Arts Society of Washington 2004

For this release entitled Celebrating Sacred

Rhythms, Naxos have chosen American
conductor Joseph Holt who made his Choral
Arts debut conducting the Misa Criolla  
The accomplishment of Ariel Ramírez with
the Misa Criolla is beyond comparison. The
Argentine composer and pianist Ariel Ramírez
is widely acclaimed throughout South
America for his unique synthesis of popular
and liturgical styles. He is represented here
by his settings of the Misa Criolla and the
Navidad Nuestra.  

The accomplishment of Ariel Ramírez with the Misa Criolla is beyond comparison.   Over forty
years after its creation in 1964, this Mass is considered one of the utmost expressions of
popular music in Argentina. It has transcended international borders to gain worldwide
acclaim Even Ramírez, a composer with a career of long-standing, could not have foreseen
that it would become such a famous work amongst his prolific output comprising
compositions for chorus, voice and piano.  

Musically speaking, the Misa falls into a category somewhere between strict academic and
urban popular but. Ramírez does not intend to preserve folklore but to achieve an artistic
recreation of folk-derived traits within a personal compositional style. The Misa Criolla
consists of musical settings of theKyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei.

With liturgical texts in Spanish it is one of the first Catholic Masses to be composed in a
language other than Latin. Each part of the Mass is based on either traditional Argentine
dances or songs. The vidala-baguala for the Kyrie, refers to the lyrical vocal form of Bolivia
and northern Argentina.

The Mass is written for tenor, mixed chorus, percussion, Andean instruments, double bass
and harpsichord or piano. It should be noted that Ramírez is considered today the first within
the ‘nativist’ tradition to introduce the piano in the performance of traditional music in
Argentina. In this Naxos recording, however, conductor Joseph Holt utilises the charango, a
small guitar made of an armadillo shell, with the guitar replacing the keyboard part.

The Andean notched flute, quena and the panpipes, siku, which are also featured in this
recording, follow the Argentine criollo tradition where they usually accompany the charango,
the guitar and the bombo.

The Misa Criolla comes across as an appealing and inspiring work right from the first bars of
the opening movement Kyrie. The atmosphere provided by the excellent performers is electric
and at times magical. The three tenor parts lack the individual character of the acclaimed
performance by the eminent and charismatic tenor José Carreras, on his 1987 Philips
account, but the collective effect is thrilling.

The first section of the lively carnival mood of the Gloria is dominated by the guitars before
the tenors and choir gain prominence. Alongside the heavy dance elements of the Credo
distinctive use is made of panpipes. The carnival mood of the Sanctus features guitars. The
superbly performed closing movement Agnus Deiis notable for its dream-like and softly
coloured textures.

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Salvador de Madariaga London, 1965)

"...without abandoning its tone, without aspiring to the vulgarity of imitating a bourgeois
tone, it maintains a ritual level and rises in intensity without effort. With this work of
undoubtable universal value, Argentina gives to the world an example of how it is possible to
incorporate the people with greater culture by means of the safest way, which is that of
religion. It is to be expected that the whole of the Christian world will be able and will know
how to enjoy promptly the beauty and originality of this admirable Misa Criolla."

   
Ariel Ramirez. Born in Santa Fe, Argentina, he
Programme  Llangollen  Festival  2007  
roamed the South American hinterland in his
José  Carreras  sings  Misa  Criolla   early twenties playing piano and studying
regional musical traditions. After a brief stint
Symphonic  concert  –  1st  part   in Buenos Aires, he spent several years in
Europe, studying in Madrid and Vienna and
teaching music in a German convent.
El  Eco  de  tu  voz              Albéniz  
Returning to South America in 1954, he
completed his musical training in Buenos
Lejana  Tierra  Mia        Gardel   Aires, where his politically engaged popular
songs rapidly earned him renown as a leader
Silencio  Cantatore      Lama   of the nueva cancion movement.

Vurria                                                Rendine   His breakthrough onto the international stage

came in 1967 with the first performance and
recording of the Misa Criolla (Mass in Native
Cioffi                                                    Na  Sera  ´e  Maggio  
Style).

L´Oreneta                                    Morera   The success of this innovative work owes

much to its timing. Set in Spanish rather than
Pel  Teu  Amor                        Ribas   Latin, it was one of the first major masses
composed after the Second Vatican Council
mandated the use of the vernacular. It also
Misa  Criolla    
profited from the period's burgeoning interest
Andean  Pieces                    Los  Calchakis   in folk music. As a result, the work quickly
captured the imagination of audiences
Misa  Criolla                              Ariel  Ramírez   worldwide and has received thousands of
performances.
Kyrie                                      
The mass's reception abroad, where its style
was perceived as novel and exotic, actually
Gloria                                    
helped stimulate appreciation for native
culture among more skeptical audiences back
Credo                                   in Argentina. Like all Ramirez' major works,
the Misa Criolla draws substantially on the folk
Sanctus                               traditions in which he immersed himself as a
young man.
Agnus  Dei                      

Bis  -­‐  José  Carreras  +  Piano  Lorenzo  Bavaj  

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Company references

Among the most renowned music agencies in Spain,

PRODUCCIONES LASTRA
Producciones Lastra is proud to present and promote
the biggest names in latin music, dance, and
C/ Estrella Polar 12, 5º Izq.
entertainment from Argentina and Spain. 28007 Madrid
Tel (+34) 91 521 77 23
Since 1978 Producciones Lastra has vast experience in
organizing music events, with a wide variety of genres PRODUCCIONES LASTRA BCN
including tango, folk, opera, classical and world music.
Producciones Lastra has been organizing C/ Numància 111-115, Local 2
successful large and small scale events for both 08029 Barcelona
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With offices located in Madrid

During the last 3 decades Producciones Lastra has
and Barcelona, Producciones
worked in collaboration with some of the most Lastra provides an unparalleled
important festivals and venues, organizing more concert booking service to our
than 6000 concerts and promotions that guarantees clients in Spain and the rest of
us as one of the most stable agencies in Spain. Many the world, having promoted a
prestigious cultural organizations have confided in our wide range of events from large-
expertise, ranging from “Teatro Albéniz” in Madrid scale concerts attended by
or “Palau de la Música” in Barcelona to “Suntory Hall” thousands, private corporate
in Tokio and “Carnegie Hall” in New York. events and festivals.

Highlights from the most recent

Producciones Lastra is proud of its long association
seasons include:
with José Carreras, since he recorded the famous
Argentinean masterpiece Misa Criolla which has - José Carreras sings Misa
encompassed a huge range of high profile projects
around the world over many years. Criolla – Japan Tour 2005
- Grandes del Tango –
Accentuating the requirement for creative and original Veranos de la Villa de Madrid
programming at various stages, our work also
encompasses a commitment to a wide range of music 2002-2005
from contemporary to world music. - Los Calchakis – Lebanon
Tour 2005
With an emphasize on creating projects that combine
our artists, orchestras and groups with the leading - José Cura – Concerto di
festivals and concert presenters around the Natale di la RAI – Italia 2007
world, Producciones Lastra has achieved notable
- José Carreras Gala
success in the creation of events that have a strong
artistic vision coupled to conceptual reality. We also Concert – Festival
work with other major international figures from the Internacional de Llagollen –
music world who realize the benefit of our approach to
Walles 2007
project creation and development.
- José Carreras Misa Criolla
Accentuating the requirement for creative and original Duomo di Milano – Gala
programming at various stages, our work also
concerts - July 2010
encompasses a commitment to a wide range of music
from contemporary to world music.

9  
Producciones  Lastra  S.L  -­‐  C/  Estrella  Polar  12,  5º  Izq.  (28007)  Madrid  –  Tel:  91  521  77  23  -­‐  Mov:  676  929  479  -­‐  E-­‐mail:  info@produccioneslastra.com