LAS MAGNIFICAS is a Chamber Music Theatre piece for singing actress and trio (cello, piano, and percussion) exploring the lives and times of three towering figures in Latin American cultural history: the iconic Mexican Ranchera singer Chavela Vargas, Cuban singer Celia Cruz, "The Queen of Salsa," and Chilean singer Violeta Parra, "the Mother of Latin American Folk Music." Text by Marjorie Agosin. Music to include songs made famous by the artists: Tu Voz, Gracias a la Vida, La Vida es un Carnaval, La Llorona, and Volver a los 17, as well as instrumental music by Latin American composers: Ernesto Lecuona, Eduardo Sanchez de Fuentes, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Victor Jara, and Tania Leon.

A Chamber Music Theatre Work Conceived and Performed by the Core Ensemble
featuring Nadya Encarnacion as Chavela Vargas, Celia Cruz, and Violeta Para and Mikael Darmanie, piano.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics and Leadership (Viterbo)
Department of Ethics, Culture, and Society (Viterbo)
Department of English and World Languages (Viterbo)
Core Curriculum (Viterbo)
Office of Multicultural Student Success and Global Engagement (Viterbo)
Day of Giving - Social Justice and Equity Funds (Viterbo)
The Department of Global Cultures & Language (UWL)