Dawn Upshaw & Golijov's Ayre

I heard two SFCMF concerts that featured this year's artist in residence, Dawn Upshaw. I have always been a big fan of Upshaw, in part because of her support of new music, like this. The song cycle, Ayer, was written in 2004 by the Argentine composer Osvoldo Golijov. This is a extraordinary collision of Jewish klezmer, Arab, Sardinian, Christian & Sephardic folk music. It is full of verve, drama, complex rhythms, lament and surprises. The soprano vocals are demanding & wide ranging, from soft lyrical singing to bloodcurdling cries. Upshaw did a remarkably dramatic and genuine performance. This was the first time that I have seen tears in the eyes of the musicians at the end of a performance as they joined the enthusiastic audience in applauding Upshaw.