Conspirare, the nonpareil and Grammy-winning choral ensemble from Austin, Texas, presents an emotionally rich and wide-ranging program.

Hailed as Oregon’s “finest chamber ensemble” (ArtsWatch) the Delgani String Quartet’s first AVIE appearance was on Icarus, an album of chamber works by award-winning composer Elena Ruehr. A leading musical light of the Pacific Northwest, the Delganis devote their new release to music from south of the border. Soul of Brazil epitomises the adventurous, vibrant and passionate qualities of the South American country, blending classical and popular styles – the suave sounds of Grammy-nominated Clarice Assad’s vocals, piano and electronics, new music and arrangements of songs by Antônio Carlos Jobim, alongside the Sixth String Quartet of Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Andres Gabetta (violin & direction), Veronica Cangemi, Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (bandoneon and accordion), and the Gabetta Consort present From Venice to Buenos Aires, a remarkable journey from 18th-century Venice to the streets of Buenos Aires. Anchored by Vivaldi's dazzling concertos and the fiery passion of Astor Piazzolla's Maria de Buenos Aires, the album traces Italian music across centuries and continents. Luca Salvadori's inventive compositions, including the commissioned Overture: Tango-Baroque and Mater Maria, weave Baroque structures with Nuevo Tango rhythms, creating a breathtaking dialogue between old and new. The album is a tribute to women, with Maria as a common thread. From the violin concerto dedicated to Anna Maria, to Piazzolla's arias written for female voices, to the evocative works by Salvadori, the album celebrates feminine presence, strength, and artistry across time and styles. The recording also features operatic gems by Bononcini and Vinci, alongside Piazzolla's expressive arias, from the defiant "Yo soy Maria" to a tender Ave Maria arranged for violin, bandoneon, and soprano. From Venice to Buenos Aires is a vibrant, immersive exploration of music's power to tell stories across worlds - where sacred and secular, past and present meet in melodies both timeless and exhilarating.