If you haven’t heard Misatango yet, let us get you acquainted. This glorious blend of classical choral music and Argentine tango, composed by Martín Palmeri in 1996, is a bold genre-bending masterpiece that has been performed around the world—even for Pope Francis himself! With its unique mix of sacred and tango rhythms, Misatango brings fresh energy to the choral repertoire. Here are five reasons to fall in love with this extraordinary piece.
1. It’s the Ultimate Genre Mash-Up
What happens when you combine the timeless solemnity of a Latin Mass with the fiery pulse of tango? You get Misatango, a piece that brings two very different worlds together. Palmeri drew on his personal background to create this stunning fusion, saying, “From two important musical experiences in my personal history—arranging tango music and directing choirs—the idea emerged to write a work that somehow integrates these two experiences that developed independently.” He set out to bridge these styles in a way that felt authentic and groundbreaking, and the result is a truly unique musical experience.
2. It Was Performed for the Pope!
Misatango earned its place in history when it was performed for Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2013. The fact that Pope Francis is from Argentina—a country that lives and breathes tango—made this piece appropriately programmed. The Pope, a known fan of tango, was reportedly moved by the piece, which perfectly blended his faith with the music of his homeland. If Misatango can leave that kind of impression on the Pope, it’s definitely worth a listen!
3. The Bandoneon Brings Tango to Life
At the core of Misatango’s tango sound is the bandoneon, that unmistakable accordion-like instrument that’s synonymous with the genre. Palmeri’s decision to keep the bandoneon in the orchestration was key to preserving tango’s essence. As he put it: “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.’” That means you get all the emotional intensity of tango, without losing the beauty of the choral performance. The bandoneon gives Misatango a sound that’s totally authentic and unmistakably tango.
4. It’s Got Global Appeal
Misatango is performed around the world during the International Misatango Festival! From New York’s Carnegie Hall to the Berlin Cathedral, over 400 singers from across the world come together to bring this work to life. Its mix of tango and classical has caught on with audiences everywhere, uniting people from different musical and cultural backgrounds. No matter where it’s performed, it’s a show-stopping piece that gets people talking—and feeling!
5. It’s the Future of Classical Music
Palmeri didn’t just write a tango arrangement; he reinvented how tango and choral music can work together. He even chose to use Latin for the Mass text, saying it “gives the work a reserved, esoteric quality which…has much to do with tango—especially progressive tango.” By respecting the roots of both genres while pushing them forward, Misatango paves the way for a new wave of classical compositions that don’t play by the old rules.
Whether you’re a choral music aficionado or this is your first TMChoir concert, Misatango is a must-listen. It’s bold, emotional, and unlike anything you’ve heard before. With its mix of tango rhythms, choral vocals, and global appeal, this is one musical masterpiece you don’t want to miss.
Misatango will be performed by the more than 160 voices of TMChoir alongside Soprano, Charlotte Siegel and instrumentalists. The Love Affair: Waltz & Tango will be performed Sunday, November 3 at Koerner Hall.
