Puentes

Puentes is a series of choral concerts that offers audiences the opportunity to connect to Latin American history, culture, and repertoire that is rarely or never performed in the United States. Our concerts offer program notes in English and Spanish, and often combine traditional classical styles with non-classical Latin American genres.

Border CrosSing, 2021

Puentes 1: “Latin America, a Miracle of Faith”

September 16, 2017

An exploration of Latin American history and its people’s relationship with religious faith through sacred choral music from different historical periods.

“Latin America, a Miracle of Faith” program (PDF)

Puentes 2: “Song for the Dead and the Living”

October 28, 2017

Inspired by Día de Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration, this program explores similar holidays throughout Latin America and finds links between music and views of death and grieving in Europe and Latin America.

“Song for the Dead and the Living” program (PDF)

Puentes 3: “El Mesías”

December 15, 2017

Our bilingual, Spanish-English version of Handel’s Messiah paired with Mexican Baroque works composed during Handel’s lifetime.

“El Mesias 2017” program (PDF)

Puentes 4: “San Patricio”

March 17, 2018

A program exploring the history of the Saint Patrick’s Battalion during the Mexican-American War of 1846.

“San Patricio” program (PDF)

Puentes 5: “CrosSing Borders”

May 6 & 12, 2018

An exploration of Latin American music that gained new meaning over time as it was transported from one place to another.

“Crossing Borders” program (PDF)

Puentes 6: “The Song of the Snake”

September 14 & 15, 2018

A collaboration with Mexican percussion quartet Versus 8 featuring the premiere of Silvestre Revueltas’ Sensemayá in our version for choir.

“The Song of the Snake” program (PDF)

Puentes 7: “500 Years of Latin American Music”

October 17, 2018

An interactive, family-friendly lecture recital exploring the languages, songs, and dances of Latin America.

“500 Years of Latin American Music” program (PDF)

Puentes 8: “El Mesías & Navidad Nuestra”

December 14 & 15, 2018

Our bilingual, Spanish-English version of Handel’s Messiah paired with Navidad Nuestra by Ariel Ramírez.

“El Mesias” 2018 program (PDF)

Puentes 9: “Island Baroque”

March 22 & 23, 2019

Early music gems composed between 1500 and 1800 from the Caribbean Islands and Central America performed on period instruments.

“Island Baroque” program (PDF)

Puentes 10: “CrosSing Borders: Emerging Latinx Voices”

May 17 & 19, 2019

Works by emerging Latinx composers, each paired with a work by a Minnesota-based composer, featuring several world premieres.

“CrosSing Borders: Emerging Latinx Voices” program (PDF)

Video link

Puentes 11: “Black Christ of the Andes”

October 18 & 19, 2019

An exploration of race and religious identity in Latin America, featuring music by Mary Lou Williams.

“Black Christ of the Andes” program (PDF)

Puentes 12: “El Mesías & Navidad Nuestra”

December 13 & 14, 2019

An expanded version of our bilingual, Spanish-English version of Handel’s Messiah mashed up with Navidad Nuestra by Ariel Ramírez.

“El Mesias” 2019 program (PDF)

Video link

Puentes 13: “La Colonia”

February 2 & 3, 2020

Latin American early music from the colonial period performed on period instruments.

Puentes 14: “Te amo, te quiero”

March 27 & 28, 2020 (canceled because of the COVID-19 crisis)

Latin American choral music and arrangements centered around romantic love.

“Te amo, te quiero” program (PDF)

Upcoming Events

Collaboration with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, May 12 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Collaboration with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, May 19 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

“Aquí te amo” LIVE Concert

Friday, May 31 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Pay What You Can

We are committed to making sure that our concerts are accessible to everyone. No one will ever be turned away from a Border CrosSing concert because of a lack of funds! You can purchase tickets online for all Puentes concerts at a fixed price. Tickets are available at the door the day of the event at pay-what-you-can pricing, with a suggested price. Our suggested ticket prices aren’t based on what it costs to produce a concert (that would be much more), they are a starting point to choose your price. For some people, $40 is a lot of money; for others, $4 is a lot. We’re counting on you to let us know what is right for you. If you can afford it, consider paying more to help cover those who can’t.