Orchestra revives Mercedes Sosa’s symphony at the opening of the Festival América do Sul

The opening of the Festival América do Sul 2026 (South America Festival) will be marked by a show dedicated to the work of Mercedes Sosa, one of the most emblematic voices of Latin American music. The performance “Mercedes Sosa – A Voz da América do Sul” takes place this Thursday (the 14th), at 7:30 p.m., on the event’s main stage, in Corumbá.

Mercedes Sosa was one of Argentina’s most important singers and an iconic figure of Latin American music. Affectionately known as “La Negra” and “The Voice of Latin America,” she was the leading exponent of the Nueva Canción movement, which combined folk traditions with lyrics of strong social and political content.

The concert is the result of the collaboration between the Orquestra Sinfônica de Campo Grande (Campo Grande Symphony Orchestra) and the Orquestra de Câmara do Pantanal (Pantanal Chamber Orchestra), of the Moinho Cultural Sul-Americano (South American Moinho Cultural), in a proposal that brings concert music closer to Latin American popular song.

The vocal interpretation will be in the hands of singers Juci Ibanez, Lorrayne Espíndola and Marta Cel, who will guide the audience through classics from Mercedes Sosa’s repertoire, such as Gracias a la Vida, Todo Cambia, Volver a los 17, Duerme Negrito and Canción con Todos.

The story in the scores

Among the special moments of the concert will be the participation of singer Virgílio Miranda in the performance of Años, a famous duet immortalized by Mercedes Sosa and Pablo Milanés.

With musical direction and arrangements by conductor Eduardo Martinelli, the show offers a contemporary reading of the work of the Argentine artist, preserving the poetic and political force that made her one of the greatest voices of Latin America.

According to conductor Eduardo Martinelli, the idea for the show arose from an experience at last year’s festival, when musicians from every South American country came together for the opening of the Orquestra América do Sul (South America Orchestra).

“Mercedes Sosa was to perform at the Festival América do Sul in 2009, but had to cancel for health reasons. At the time, I had been invited to conduct the orchestra that would accompany her. Unfortunately, some time later, she passed away. So I think we were indebted to her music and her story.”

“That is why we decided to combine the efforts of the Orquestra Sinfônica de Campo Grande, the Orquestra do Moinho Cultural Sul-Americano, the singers and all the enthusiasts to repay a little of that debt. That is how the idea for the show came about.”

The essence of the artist

The conductor stresses that the main challenge was to preserve the singer’s essence, without allowing the grandeur of the symphonic ensemble to overshadow the original power of the songs.

“The greatest challenge was to place the orchestra as a member of Mercedes’s group, and not to steal the spotlight with all its sonic power, its timbres and its diversity of instruments, making a symphonic version based on Mercedes. On the contrary, it is to present Mercedes as she is, with all her DNA, respecting the linguistic and rhythmic aspects. Anyone who watches the show will see Mercedes in her essence, with the orchestra providing a new guise, but without altering her character.”

“The process of choosing the songs was as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Mercedes Sosa has emblematic songs and collaborations with artists such as Milton Nascimento and Chico Buarque. Putting together a show with all of her best material, with all that variety, and being able to choose, was the easiest task. This allowed us to build a show with different nuances.”

“There are solos, duets, trios and moments when each singer performs alone. It was the most playful part of creating the show. The greatest challenge was bringing together nearly 30 musicians from two orchestras, including people who live in different cities. But everyone is very eager for this great moment, which I am sure will make history at the Festival América do Sul,” explains Martinelli.