From two important musical experiences in my personal musical history - arranging tango music and directing choirs - the idea emerged to write a work that somehow integrates these two experiences that developed independently. It was always my intention to arrange tango for choral groups, attempting to maintain the “essence” of the genre. The existing choral repertory lacked neither “a cappella” nor accompanied tango arrangements, but while previous arrangements were sometimes acceptable, they have not been satisfactory. Though the technical and expressive possibilities of choral voices is great, for some reason it is difficult to achieve the precision that the tango genre requires.
Taking this into account, my objective in this composition was to maintain the harmonic language, rhythms, melodic designs, and all of the characteristics of tango within the orchestral score, thus allowing the chorus to have full liberty to just “sing the mass.” My decision to use the Latin text could be explained by the place of the Latin language among centuries of choral music and the universal connection to the language. But I have to say that my decision also carries the weight of my aesthetic requirement: Latin gives the work a reserved, esoteric quality which, from my point of view, has much to do with tango - especially progressive tango.

Martín Palmeri
 
Argentine composer Martín Palmeri is the creative mind behind Misatango – Misa a Buenos Aires, a groundbreaking fusion of tango and sacred choral music that has captivated audiences around the globe.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1965, Palmeri studied composition, conducting, piano, and voice with renowned teachers in Argentina and New York. His diverse musical background is reflected in his broad output: from choral works and concertos to operas and oratorios. His opera Mateo premiered in Argentina and was later staged in Vienna. His Magnificat was featured in the Gewandhaus Leipzig, and his large-scale works have been performed in prestigious venues from Rome to New York.
Palmeri frequently performs his own compositions, both as conductor and pianist. Misatango, premiered in 1996, has been performed across Latin America, Europe, the United States, Israel, and even Africa. Highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall, Basilica San Ignacio de Loyola in Rome (in honor of Pope Francis), and being selected for the ateliers of Europa Cantat in Utrecht.
Palmeri’s music combines rhythmic vitality with lyrical depth, always maintaining a strong connection to his Argentine roots. His compositions have earned numerous national and international awards and are featured in recordings from Italy, Latvia, and Argentina.