This vibrant program brings together five works that span opera, nationalism, lyricism, and rhythmic energy—reimagined through the sonorous lens of the cello ensemble. From Bizet’s sparkling theatricality to Villa-Lobos’ Brazilian homage to Bach, the cello becomes both narrator and orchestra, voice and rhythm, emotion and movement.

Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1, part of a celebrated series blending the contrapuntal techniques of J.S. Bach with the rhythms and colors of Brazilian music. Scored originally for cello ensemble, this work is tailor-made for the format: rich in texture, rhythmically inventive, and deeply rooted in both European tradition and Latin American vitality. Its three movements combine meditative depth with rustic energy.

From Brazil to Spain, the program moves into selections from Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite. The cello ensemble takes on the roles of both orchestra and stage, bringing to life the drama, passion, and unmistakable melodies of Bizet’s opera. Themes such as the Habanera and the Toreador Song are reimagined with depth and nuance, allowing the cello’s expressive voice to shine.

One of the most electrifying works written for multiple cellos, Giovanni Sollima’s Violoncelles, Vibrez! (Cellos, Vibrate!) is a celebration of the instrument’s physical and emotional power. Blending contemporary rhythms, minimalist repetition, and Mediterranean flair, this piece demands full-body commitment from the performers, transforming the ensemble into a living, breathing organism of sound and movement.

The program closes with a moment of deep lyricism: Antonín Dvořák’s Silent Woods, originally for cello and piano (later orchestrated by the composer). This tender, introspective work captures the quiet majesty of nature and the longing so characteristic of Dvořák’s style. In a setting for cello ensemble, the piece becomes a gentle, enveloping farewell, resonating with warmth and poetic calm.

Together, these works celebrate the cello’s unique ability to embody every musical role—from operatic hero to rhythmic engine, from folk storyteller to lyrical soul—offering a concert experience both rich and exhilarating.