Between 1960 and 1980, Venezuelan architect and folklorist Oswaldo Lares recorded more than 1,000 tracks of rural songs throughout his native Venezuela. In them, he captured little known genres and singers that would later become emblems of Venezuelan folklore. In the forthcoming album Las Cantoras, Venezuelan Afro-soul artist Betsayda Machado collaborates with Lares to curate a compilation of these archival recordings featuring female singers. Through this unique collaboration, the two will release a rarely seen side of Venezuela.

The concert will open with prolific 19th century German composer Emilie Mayer’s melodically lush Symphony No. 7 in F minor. Then, take a musical stroll through Harlem, New York, and experience the vibrant energy of African American cultural touchstones in Carlos Simon’s The Block. The movements are inspired by the Romare Bearden paintings by the same name. Then, journey back in time to Russia with Alexander Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances” from the opera Prince Igor.

The concert will open with prolific 19th century German composer Emilie Mayer’s melodically lush Symphony No. 7 in F minor. Then, take a musical stroll through Harlem, New York, and experience the vibrant energy of African American cultural touchstones in Carlos Simon’s The Block. The movements are inspired by the Romare Bearden paintings by the same name. Then, journey back in time to Russia with Alexander Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances” from the opera Prince Igor.

The UMD Symphony Orchestra makes a joyous return to the stage to perform the full orchestral suite of American composer Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Created for modern dancer Martha Graham, the original ballet version premiered at the Library of Congress in 1944. Copland then rearranged the work for full orchestra the following year. Appalachian Spring is beloved for its American folk melodies and dancing songs, most notably the Shaker tune "Simple Gifts."