Forrópera was co-created by Chrystal E. Williams and Felipe Hostins as a way to foster unity, peace, and understanding through music. It combines elements of classical music and that of traditional Brazilian folk music; with the primary instruments being voice and accordion. Of the world premiere of Hostins’ Meu Brasil de Cristal (Chrystal) in 2018, critics wrote: “She uncovered melancholy in Felipe Hostins’ Meu Brasil de Cristal (Chrystal), conceived through Astral’s micro-commissioning program and being given its premiere. It was one of those pieces that in its writing already knew the performers. Hostins himself played the accordion, but the part he wrote for Williams was no less suited to her particular qualities. The piece is about the ability of a people to carry on with a smile through horrible circumstances…and the text both weeps and fights the good fight. Hostins had an entire orchestra in his accordion. He asked of Williams both bel canto agility and lowregister digs into sorrow, and she carried it beautifully.”

Felipe Hostins, Brazilian accordionist and composer, and Chrystal E. Williams, North American performing artist and composer, began their collaboration that would eventually become Forrópera, in 2016. They started out in outreach with inner city schools, helping students use music as a way of expression and growth. Working with students having studied music and those having not alike, Forrópera uses its residencies to show students the power of music. They use tools such as poetry, rhythm, sound, language and dance to enhance the experience of live music and all of its potential to effect change in such young lives. May 2021 saw the premiere of the Forrópera Experiência, in collaboration with Astral Artists and the Esperanza Arts Center. The Forrópera Experiência, which premiered digitally due to COVID-19, came out of the sound of Forrópera and was the culmination of a year long residency with the Esperanza Arts Center. The current season sees them as the featured performers of the Black Heritage Day celebration in coproduction with Greensboro Opera and the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum Music Festival, as featured performers of the American Composers Orchestra’s gala fundraiser, and continuing their recital and outreach work with Astral Artists and Allegro Music Consultants. March 2024 will mark the Carnegie Hall debut of the duo in a world premiere written for them and the American Symphony Orchestra by John Glover and Kelley Rourke.

The joyful, genre-bending musical experience of the husband/wife duo that is Forrópera continues its relationships with such esteemed organizations and artists as Astral Artists, Inc., Opera Baltimore (formerly Baltimore Concert Opera), Opera Delaware, the Kaufman Music Center, Allegro Music Consultants, the Esperanza Arts Center, Forró in the Dark, Davi Vieira, Gil Oliveira, Jake Owen, Löic da Silva, Gabe Hall- Rodrigues, John Glover and Kelley Rourke, among others.

Forró means for all, and Opera means work. Forrópera’s mission is to create and share music that is indeed just that- works of art for all!

Forrópera • forropera@gmail.com

For inquiries and engagements, please contact Dan Visconti | www.viscontiarts.com

216.956.0078 • dan@viscontiarts.com