From Falla to Chick Corea celebrates both classical and contemporary voices of the Hispanic world:
from the lyrical beauty of Manuel de Falla and Isaac Albéniz to the jazz brilliance of Michel Camilo and
Chick Corea.

It includes traditional and modern works inspired by the rich mosaic of Hispanic culture,
alongside a heartfelt Tribute to Mother Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants. Present by Spotlight Artists.

Artists featured:

Alexander Chaplinskiy, a pianist and Music Director for this Program, is renowned for his dynamic
performances and dedication to presenting less known classical and contemporary music. Critics have
lauded his emotive playing style. Operawire dubbed him “The Rock Star Pianist” for his compelling
rendition of Mussorgsky’s The Great Gate of Kiev during a benefit concert supporting Ukraine. Since
relocating to the U.S., Chaplinskiy has been active in the Ukrainian music scene, collaborating with
Spotlight Artists and participating in the Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival (UCMF).

Argentinian-French mezzo-soprano Eugenia Forteza, a multidisciplinary artist - including acting and
classical singing, portrayed Sister Umilia in the internationally acclaimed film Cabrini, directed by
Alejandro Monteverde and produced by Academy Award winner Jonathan Sanger. In this concert,
Forteza performs deeply poetic pieces to showcase the great legacy of Hispanic culture.

Laura Virella, a Puerto Rican mezzo-soprano and passionate advocate for underrepresented composers,
performs selections from ‘Canciones para Laura’ by Jack Delano — a Puerto Rican composer of
Ukrainian descent. This repertoire forms part of her ongoing research and recording project to revive
Delano’s lyrical, humanistic music, connecting her own heritage to broader cultural narratives of
migration and belonging.

Soprano Zoya Gramagin is recognized for her beautiful, rich, and powerful voice that possesses warm
darker colors, while maintaining a very Italianate sound. In summer 2024, Gramagin made her debut as
Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème at the Regium Lepidi Opera Festival in Correggio, Italy.
Valentin Korniyenko, a versatile double bassist, brings both warmth and rhythmic precision to the
ensemble. With experience spanning classical chamber music and modern jazz, he serves as the
grounding pulse throughout the program — from Bebo Valdés’s Son de la loma to Corea’s Spain.

Aleksandra Mogilevich, a percussionist known for her vibrant versatility, adds a dynamic dimension that
bridges classical articulation with jazz spontaneity. Her nuanced approach enhances both the rhythmic
vitality of Latin repertoire and the meditative passages of the program’s reflective moments.

From Falla to Chick Corea

A Hispanic Heritage Month Concert