Works by de Falla, Evangelista, Martínez Sierra and Rimsky-Korsakov.

The bleakness of Tsarist Russia did not prevent Rimski-Korsakov from dreaming of exotic, warm, sensuous Spain. He fully exploits the orchestra’s colours to enliven the melodic lines in his Capriccio espagnol, where spirited Castilian rhythms animate the long Russian phrases. A similar approach brings life to The Three-Cornered Hat, composed by Spaniard Manuel de Falla, who was commissioned by the Ballets Russes, and performed here by Québec mezzo-soprano Marjorie Maltais. Also featured is the world premiere of a work by José Evangelista, a Montréaler with Spanish roots, whose music melds delicacy with expressive power. [Peggy Niloff, translation and adaptation]