Jimmy López Bellido’s new song cycle Airs for Mother premieres on 1 December at New York’s Kaufmann Concert Hall, presented by 92NY Center for Culture & Arts. It is performed by Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and the Catalyst Quartet, who devote the programme to performing music by Black and Hispanic composers.
Airs for Mother celebrates and meditates on motherhood, particularly López Bellido’s relationship with his own mother. The text, also written by the composer, offers a glimpse into four moments in time, each with its own distinct mood. The concert also features an aria from the composer’s opera Bel Canto (published by Filarmonika), based on Ann Patchett’s bestselling novel. Alongside López Bellido’s works, the programme includes Prayer (Gather Up) by Carlos Simon, Seven Popular Spanish Songs by Falla, and John Carter’s Cantata.
The concert will also be livestreamed and available to view online for 72 hours after broadcast.