Although Madrid’s festivities are indisputably linked to the chotis, its most typical dance, neither its origin is popular nor is it from Madrid: it is a dance born in Central Europe and called in German “Schottisch” (Scottish), most likely due to its style derived from certain Scottish dances. The dance arrived in Madrid through Isabel II, and was initially performed at the Royal Palace at exclusive high society events.
We wish to celebrate San Isidro with the most famous chotis about Madrid. Although it is attributed to Mexican composer Agustín Lara, an unproven theory assigns its composition to the Spaniard Rafael Oropesa, a musician of the Madrid Municipal Band and composer who had to go into exile in Mexico with his wife after the civil war. Lara would purchase the song that became an emblem of the city.
LARA, Agustín
Madrid, chotis for voice and instrumental accompaniment (doubtful attribution)
Maylin Anabel Cruz Fonseca, soprano
Alejandra Acuña Manrique, mezzo-soprano
César Arrieta Salazar, tenor
Gabriel Alonso Díaz, baritone
Duncan Gifford, piano
