By Natalie Taylor
How do you combine musical genres and styles from around the world, not only spanning geography but covering a period from ancient times to the present? If there is someone who can do this successfully, it is Alicia Rappoport, who herself embodies diverse musical styles from around the world.
Alicia’s musical career began with her singing sacred songs of the world, but in 2001 she began to sing opera. In San Miguel, she was asked to sing liturgy during services at the JC3, and became deeply involved with the Jewish community. Because Alicia hails from Argentina, she decided to combine liturgical singing, opera, and tango into a 2011 musical production titled “Secrets of the Heart.”
Her tango performances were extremely successful, and she sang in numerous shows around the world. She left opera and sacred songs and switched to only singing tangos and international music. When Covid-19 put a stop to everything, she once again moved toward performing spiritual music. In 2020, she did a concert in San Miguel with the musical group Shira, combining mystic sounds, chants, and invocations, adding a modern touch.
Alicia has been invited to sing for a benefit for JC3/CHESMA, the Jewish community of San Miguel. This is a perfect opportunity for her to highlight sacred music and spiritual songs, and she has put together a special, unique program combining a variety of ancient languages and traditions. The range will encompass songs in Sanskrit, Hebrew, and Spanish, and then move to the spiritual songs of indigenous people of America—in Toltec, and other native tongues.
Not only is the musical repertoire varied, Alicia has assembled excellent musicians who will be accompanying her: Mario Moya on piano, Santiago Ruiz, who will play various flutes from around the world, Federico Foglia, a percussionist and sound engineer par excellence and Paola Jacinto, a gifted singer with remarkable vocal versatility, will also be performing alongside Alicia.
This will be truly a special performance, an ambitious effort at melding myriad styles and musical instruments. An example is one of the pieces featured. It is a Sioux prayer, accompanied by music, and translation into English and Spanish.
Similarly, Peruvian, Colombian, and Mexican traditions will be sung in a similar format. With the additional level of modernity, Alicia will feature some of her own, original compositions.
In her “Songs of Humanity” concert Alicia brings a message of love, peace, and unity—to “come into a zone of togetherness.” She says there is so much corruption and division in the world, that the only thing that we can rely on is “the incorruptible truth.” Music is a vehicle that can bring the ancient to the present, and it can also bring people together in celebration and unity.
The event will take place on March 12, 2023 at 4pm, at the JC3/CHESMA Jewish Cultural Center at: Calle de las Moras 47. The price is 600 pesos, online tickets at www.ShalomSanMiguel.org, in person, 9am-5pm M-F/ Call 415 185 9191
Concert
“Songs of Humanity” by Alicia Rappoport
Sun., Mar. 12, 4pm
JC3/CHESMA Jewish Cultural Center
Calle de las Moras 47
600 pesos
415 185 9191
