In the first major event of the Festival Cultural Mazatlán 2023, the public gathered at the Ángela Peralta Theater experienced an emotional and spiritual experience by enjoying a work that exalts and fills Mexicans with pride: “Misa Azteca” by Mexican-American composer Joseph Julián González, a special guest at this majestic concert to celebrate the XXX anniversary of the FCM.
Maestro Gordon Campbell was the guest conductor; operatic promise Rosa Ferreiro performed with decisive spirit, shook and elevated the soul; Eduardo Tapia made the Body of Christ something subtle and sublime; Wendy García put the necessary passion to lead us to the admiration of human virtues; The percussion of the Camerata Mazatlán reminded us of our identity and the string instruments touched our emotions, the brass sounded heavenly; the Ángela Peralta Choir was consecrated with glory; The dancers of the Ballet Folklorico de Cultura referred to our roots by personifying Aztec maidens and priests.
The chronicle
The huéhuetl (cylindrical drum made of ahuehuete trunk) sounds, the chajchas (pig’s hooves) that were used by shamans and healers to release evil spirits, are heard in the background, the sounds of strings are present, the ‘splash’ of a cymbal catches the ears, the monumental choir is heard in a funereal way saying “Christ have mercy!”, the percussions accompany this clamorous moment, we are weak and fragile before the divine, the rumble of the huéhuetl and the sound of all the strings of a harp breaks the rhythmic base so that the choir with all its power and vocal energy cries out and sings angelically with the bass sound of strings in the background, to say…My Christ who takes away the sin of the world…My Christ who takes away our sin of the world….Have mercy on us.
Maestro Gordon Campbell directs his baton towards the choir, towards the percussions, towards the violins, towards the flutes, towards the cellos, towards the great symphonic timpani, towards the guiro, so that they sound at the precise moment, the concentration of everyone in the setting is perfect, on time, majestic, divine, spiritual; Artists and audience form the same body when the first words that were heard were, Christ have mercy, in that moment that seemed like an instant, a hypnosis, but in reality it was the first meeting in a mass, yes, in Aztec Mass.
The moment arrived for the Camerata Mazatlán, the Ángela Peralta Choir, the soloists of the CMA Opera Workshop, the director Gordon Campbell, the Folkloric Ballet of the Instituto Municipal de Cultura, Turismo y Arte de Mazatlán, set designers, stagehands, illuminators, staff wardrobe, props, audio engineers, multimedia, sound operators, dressing room staff, cleaning staff, hostesses, ticket takers, security, directors, assistants, cameramen, photographers, carpenters and everyone, everyone who participated to make this oratory great, majestic, it was one more demonstration so that the arts, cultures, disciplines, talents, vocations, trades, professions would become absolutely palpable, visible and constituted.
Misa Azteca was presented at an essential moment, it convened and brought together those who were reading what it was about, what it consisted of, what it recognized, what is done in Mazatlán, what its artists do, and what achieved by their teachers, but it was also presented at a time when honor and dignity are flourishing, a work in which its creator Joseph Julián González contextualizes himself with the feelings and pride that the past has given us, his Misa Azteca is an experience that nourishes, strengthens and recognizes that our historical contribution to humanity is constructive and splendid, but above all genuine and authentic.
