Jordi Savall returns with an ambitious new program characteristic of his expansive, inclusive musical imagination. The Routes of Slavery unites more than two dozen musicians from 10 countries on four continents, in a reverent and uplifting celebration of the influence of enslaved Africans on the culture of the Americas and Europe. Vocalists from the United States, Mali, Colombia, and Catalonia blend with instrumentalists from Morocco, Europe, and West Africa, with historic readings intertwined throughout. Sponsored by UNESCO, this massive cross-cultural musical reconciliation serves as an extraordinary tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.

PERFORMERS

Mali
Mohamed Diaby, voice
Ballaké Sissoko, kora and voice
Mamani Keita, Nana Kouyaté, Tanti Kouyaté, chorus and dance

Mexico/Colombia
TEMBEMBE ENSAMBLE CONTINUO
Ada Coronel, vihuela, wasá, dance, and voice
Leopoldo Novoa, marimbol, marimba de chonta, tiple colombiano, and voice
Enrique Barona, vihuela, leona, jarana, quijada de caballo, dance, and voice
Ulises Martínez, violin, vihuela, leona, and voice

Brazil
Maria Juliana Linhares, soprano
Zé Luis Nascimento, percussion

Venezuela
Iván García, bass

Canada
Neema Bickersteth, voice

La Capella Reial de Catalunya
Arianna Savall, soprano
David Sagastume, countertenor
Víctor Sordo, tenor
Petter Udland Johansen, tenor
Yannis François, baritone

Hespèrion XXI
Pierre Hamon, flutes
Béatrice Delpierre, shawm
Daniel Lassalle, sackbut
Jordi Savall, treble viol
Xavier Puertas, violone
Xavier Díaz-Latorre, guitar
Andrew Lawrence-King, Spanish Baroque harp
David Mayoral, percussion

Aldo Billingslea, narrator

Jordi Savall, director

In memoriam: Kassé Mady Diabaté (1949–2018)

With the support of the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Institut Ramon Llull, and Unesco.

Please note: non-English vocals will be performed with supertitles.

This event is part of the 2018/19 Berkeley RADICAL programming initiative, Citizenship. Learn more and watch videos >