Obsidiana Duo: Celebrating Ibero-American Music and Immigrant Narratives with Debut Atlantic this November!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2024
Obsidiana Duo: Celebrating Ibero-American Music and Immigrant Narratives with Debut Atlantic this November!
K’JIUPUKTUK/HALIFAX, NS – Prepare to be captivated by the dynamic Obsidiana Duo, co-founded by pianist Yolanda Tapia and mezzo-soprano Camila Montefusco! With a passionate mission to celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Ibero-American musical culture, this prize-winning duo is on a journey to amplify the voices of historically overlooked composers. Their accolades speak volumes: a First Prize win at the Puerto Rico Collaborative Piano Competition, a prestigious fellowship with the Toronto Summer Music Festival, and an artistic residency at the renowned Banff Centre.
Inspired by themes of immigration and belonging, their innovative project ‘AIRE’ will evolve into the enchanting ‘AIRE y TIERRA’ during their upcoming tour with Debut Atlantic from November 8-23, 2024. Get ready for an unforgettable experience that weaves together powerful narratives and stirring melodies – connecting audiences through the universal language of music.
Join the Obsidiana Duo as they celebrate our shared humanity with audiences across Atlantic Canada. The tour kicks off on Friday, November 8, in Antigonish, NS with the Antigonish Performing Arts Series at 7:30pm. The following day, Saturday, November 9, Obsidiana Duo will stop by at Cecilia’s Retreat in Mahone Bay, NS for a 3:00pm performance. Next, they will perform at the deCoste Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, November 10, at 7:30pm. On Wednesday, November 13, they’ll enchant audiences in Bertrand, NB, at Musique Saint-Joachim with a 7:30pm concert. Their journey continues to Tatamagouche, NS, where they will perform at The Grace Arts Centre on Friday, November 15, at 7:00pm, followed by a show in Truro, NS, at St. Andrew’s United Church (presented by The Marigold Centre) on Saturday, November 16, at 7:00pm. On Sunday, November 17, the Obsidiana Duo will dazzle the crowd at MusicUNB in Fredericton, NB, at 7:30pm. They’ll wrap up their Debut Atlantic tour on Saturday, November 23, with a spectacular performance at Woodlawn United Church in Dartmouth, NS at 7:00pm, presented by the Dartmouth Community Concert Association.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of the Obsidiana Duo live!
In addition to concert engagements, the Obsidiana Duo will be working with young students through the Debut Goes to School! program. This season, Debut Goes to School offers students throughout Atlantic Canada in-person access to outstanding classical and global music artists. Through this program, students are provided the opportunity to participate in live, interactive learning sessions and other events for various age groups and levels of ability.
Debut Atlantic wants to recognize the partners and sponsors that come together to bring these incredible artists to communities and venues of all sizes across our region. It would not be possible without the generous support of sustaining partners, including the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and the Province of New Brunswick. Debut would also like to thank its educational partner, the Nova Scotia Department of Education; and its season partners, including the Halifax Regional Municipality, The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, Support4Culture, the Craig Foundation, Pink Larkin, Halcraft Printers, Strategic Arts Management, and InnVest Hotels (Comfort Inn).
Please see the enclosed list of concert dates and artist biography, and come share in a unique performance, rich with passion and exploration.
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As one of Canada’s most prestigious classical music organizations, Debut Atlantic is committed to developing young artists and establishing new initiatives that enhance the cultural life of Atlantic Canada. Since 1979 it has treated Atlantic audiences to Canada’s most promising young musicians. Celebrating 44 years, Debut Atlantic has featured over 400 artists, gracing the stages of venues from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Full details on Debut Atlantic’s concert seasons and educational programs can be found at www.debutatlantic.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Erin Sparks – Executive Director
Debut Atlantic
902-429-6812
erin@debutatlantic.ca
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Elizabeth Upson Perez – Program Officer
Debut Atlantic
902-429-6812
TOUR SCHEDULE—Obsidiana Duo
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, November 8, 2024
Antigonish Performing Arts Series
Immaculata Hall, St. F.X. University
2360 Notre Dame Ave.
902-867-3909
people.stfx.ca/msteinit/schedule.htm
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
3:00pm, November 9, 2024
Musique Royale
Cecilia’s Retreat
1199 Oakland Rd, Mahone Bay, NS
musiqueroyale.com
Pictou, Nova Scotia
7:30pm, November 10, 2024
deCoste Performing Arts Centre
25B Front St.
1-800-353-5338
decostecentre.ca
Bertrand, New Brunswick
7:30pm, November 13, 2024
Musique Saint-Joachim
Église St-Joachim
650 Boulevard des Acadiens
musiquestjoachim.com
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
7:00pm, November 15, 2024
The Grace Arts Centre
31 Creamery Rd.
902-657-3500
www.gracejollymore.com
Truro, Nova Scotia
7:00pm, November 16, 2024
Marigold Cultural Centre
605 Prince St, Truro, NS
902-897-4004
Fredericton, New Brunswick
7:30pm, November 17, 2024
MusicUNB
University of New Brunwsick, Memorial Hall
506-453-4697
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
7:00pm, November 23, 2024
Woodlawn United Church
Dartmouth Community Concert Association
54 Woodlawn Rd.
dartmouthcommunityconcert.ca/index.html
BIOGRAPHY—OBSIDIANA DUO
Pianist Yolanda Tapia and mezzo-soprano Camila Montefusco co-founded the Obsidiana Duo with a clear mission: to celebrate the rich tapestry of Ibero-American musical culture and amplify the voices of historically overlooked composers.
Renowned internationally as a prize-winning collaborative pair, the duo has been featured in CollabFest and Collabaret 2020, and the International Keyboard Collaborative Arts Society in 2021. Noteworthy accolades include the First Prize at the Puerto Rico Collaborative Piano Competition, and a fellowship with the Toronto Summer Music Festival where they worked under the tutelage of Wolfram Rieger, Benjamin Appl, and Steven Philcox. Highlights of their previous season include their inaugural national tour with Prairie Debut and the debut of ‘Circular Sky’ – a commissioned piece by composer Alice Ping Yee Ho and writer Madeleine Thien, supported by SOCAN, Prairie Debut, and the Canada Council for the Arts. This collaboration sparked ‘AIRE,’ a thematic exploration of immigration and belonging within their repertoire.
In recognition of their artistic vision, the Duo received a Canada Council for the Arts grant, facilitating collaborations with costume designer Madeline LeBlanc and graphic designer Paula Vergara. This collaboration culminated in the visual elements for ‘AIRE y TIERRA’. Their performances have been showcased on the stages of Music Toronto’s Celebration of Small Ensembles Concert Series, Music Monday Toronto, 5 at the First, and London’s In Diversity There is Harmony. Looking ahead to the 24/25 season, they look forward to touring ‘AIRE y TIERRA’ with Debut Atlantic.
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