Constantinople - Crossing the Andes

Join us for a vibrant evening of discovery as the ensemble Constantinople, directed by Kiya Tabassian, and their prestigious guests from Peru explore the rich musical memory this colorful land.
The music of the Andes is a living bridge between worlds. It carries the soul of pre-Hispanic traditions, beautifully woven together with the instruments and melodies of those who later called this land home. The result is a magnificent tapestry of sound, spanning from the hidden gems of 17th and 18th-century codices to the rhythmic oral traditions that still pulse through South America today.
Kiya Tabassian, setar & direction

Federico Tarazona, charango

Consuelo Jeri, voice

Jonatan Alvarado, voice & baroque guitar

Sigi Velásquez, quena

Tanya LaPerrière, baroque violin & viola d’amore

Etienne Lafrance, doublebass

Patrick Graham, percussions
About the artists:
Founded in 2001, Constantinople explores early and traditional music through a lively and inventive approach. The ensemble blends historical repertoire, world traditions, and improvisation, creating performances that transcend cultural boundaries. Renowned for international tours and acclaimed recordings, Constantinople collaborates with musicians from diverse backgrounds to reveal the richness and vitality of both ancient and contemporary music.

Kiya Tabassian is widely recognized as a master of dialogue between musical cultures. Born in Iran and based in Canada, he has developed a unique artistic language shaped by diverse traditions. A virtuoso of the setar and a composer, he creates works where Persian music meets that of Europe, Africa, and beyond. As artistic director of Constantinople, he conceives projects in which cultures engage in deep, meaningful exchange rather than simple fusion. His approach, rooted in listening and creation, reveals unexpected resonances. He embodies an artistic vision in which music becomes a space for encounter, reflection, and shared beauty.

Consuelo Jeri is one of Peru’s most celebrated voices, renowned for the depth and intensity of her singing. Born in Ayacucho, she embodies the rich Quechua musical traditions of the Andes with remarkable authenticity. Her powerful yet nuanced voice conveys profound emotion, bridging memory, poetry, and identity. Trained through both oral tradition and formal study, she skillfully brings together heritage and modern expression. Performing on international stages, she has helped elevate Andean music worldwide. Deeply committed to cultural preservation, she dedicates her work to transmitting this living heritage with grace, sensitivity, and a strong artistic vision.

Renowned for his expressive artistry and exceptional technique, Federico Tarazona is recognized as one of the world’s foremost Andean charango virtuosos and a leading contemporary Peruvian composer. Trained in Peru, Russia, Germany, France, and Canada, he masterfully bridges classical and folkloric traditions. Performing worldwide with major orchestras, he also composes orchestral, chamber, and electro-acoustic works that blend Andean instruments and contemporary sounds.

Jonatan Alvarado is one of the foremost singers of medieval and renaissance music and also songs from the oral traditions of Europe and the Americas. His performances regularly feature rare, seldom heard musical jewels, played and sung with historical techniques and instruments, but without loosing touch with contemporary audiences and practices. He is the musical director of the ensemble Seconda Prat!ca, co-founded together with Nuno Atalaia.

Sigi Velásquez is a Peruvian musician and educator, widely recognized as one of the leading contemporary masters of the quena. Born in Chimbote, he discovered the instrument in childhood and made it the center of his artistic path. Trained at the National Conservatory of Music of Peru, he has worked to bring the quena into diverse musical contexts, from traditional Andean repertoire to contemporary music. Through his expressive playing and ongoing research, he has helped establish the quena as a universal instrument. A dedicated teacher, he is also deeply committed to passing this musical heritage on to new generations.

This project is supported financially by the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, the Conseil des Arts du Canada, and the Asociación ZINIA in Peru.

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