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By Julieane Cook
Milwaukee, WI — In a collaboration as ambitious as it is unprecedented, Danceworks Performance MKE (DPMKE) joins forces with Early Music Now and Aperi Animam, under the music direction of Brazilian conductor Sergio Dias, to present Terra Papagalli—a full-length, world premiere performance resurrecting rarely heard and, in many cases, never-before-performed Baroque music from colonial Brazil.
Taking place May 29 at 7:30 p.m. and May 30 at 5 p.m. at the Zelazo Center’s Helen Bader Concert Hall, Terra Papagalli—meaning “Land of the Macaws”—invites audiences into a vibrant, rediscovered soundscape where history and imagination take flight. Inspired by a 17th-century map that once referred to Brazil by this name, the performance weaves together music, voice, and contemporary dance in a strikingly original way.
At the heart of this project is music that has, until now, remained largely silent. Drawing from manuscripts uncovered in archives across Brazil, Portugal, and Italy, Dias has reconstructed a sweeping panorama of Brazilian colonial-era repertoire, 200 years in the making. “Some of these works were never played—ever,” he shares. “The audience will hear a new repertoire, even though it was composed centuries ago.”
This sense of discovery extends beyond the music. The Danceworks creative team—led by Artistic Director Christal Wagner alongside Artistic Coordinators Katelyn Altmann, Cuauhtli Ramírez Castro, Ashley Ray Garcia, and Zoe Mei Glise—has been choreographing to MIDI realizations of the score, without ever hearing the full music performed live. The entire artistic ensemble—musicians, singers, conductor, and dancers—will come together for the first time during dress rehearsal, making the performance itself a culmination of trust, artistry, and bold creative risk.
“Everything will come together in real time,” says Wagner. “It’s an extraordinary act of collaboration—artists meeting the work, and each other, in its fullest form for the very first time.”
For Dias, whose own musical journey began in school in Rio de Janeiro under the inspiration of his grandmother, a professional opera singer, the project represents both a personal and cultural milestone. “I started studying music in school with a recorder, and it led me naturally to early music and to the music of my country’s past,” he explains. “To bring this repertoire to life—and to share it with new audiences—is an immense honor.”
The collaboration also marks a first for Dias, who has conducted major ballets but never paired sacred Baroque repertoire with contemporary dance. “This experience is entirely new to me,” he says. “And I am very excited… it has a certain degree of uniqueness that will make it a very interesting and pleasant experience for the audience.” He adds, “I have never seen this done before—bringing together musicians, singers, and dancers for repertoire like this. Even in Brazil, this kind of collaboration with this music has not happened.”
The collaboration also highlights the strength and spirit of Milwaukee’s performing arts community. “We love opportunities for collaboration,” says Julieane Cook, Executive Director of Danceworks. “Bringing all of the arts together not only creates something powerful for audiences, it also shows the performing arts world that it doesn’t have to be as complicated or competitive as one might think. We can make great art together and bring something like this to life.”
Aperi’s director Dr. Paul Thompson added, “We’re always excited when we get to collaborate with such high quality community partners, and to have this collaboration organized around the presentation of this rarely-performed repertoire is particularly special.”
Audiences can expect a rich, immersive performance that blends the precision of historically informed music with the expressive power of contemporary dance. With live instrumentalists, a full choir, and an ensemble of dancers interpreting this rediscovered music through an avian-inspired lens, Terra Papagalli promises to be both a cultural revelation and a celebration of artistic possibility.
Performance Details:
Terra Papagalli
May 29, 7:30 p.m.
May 30, 5 p.m.
Zelazo Center’s Helen Bader Concert Hall – 2419 E Kenwood Blvd.
Tickets and additional information available at https://danceworksmke.org/concerts/
Tier 1 $55 ($58 with $3 processing fee)
Tier 2 $42 ($45 with $3 processing fee)
Tier 3 $30 ($33 with $3 processing fee)
$10 Student Rate at the Door ($3 processing fee)
About APERI
Under the direction of Dr. Paul Thompson, the professional vocal early music ensemble APERI has quickly drawn the attention of early music enthusiasts and organizations across the United States. From its founding in 2017 by performer-scholar Daniel Koplitz (dir. 2017–21), APERI has been praised for its ensemble precision, full-throated vocals, emotional expressivity, and innovative programming.
About Danceworks
Founded in 1992, the mission of Danceworks, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is to enhance joy, health and creativity by engaging the community through dance. Danceworks’ vision is to be a source for arts education and community collaborations that inspire a lifelong interest and participation in the arts. Each year, the organization impacts the lives of more than 55,000 children and adults through programming and performance.
About Early Music Now
Early Music Now is entering our 40th season as a world leader in presenting the best international artists dedicated to music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. During the past five years, EMN has developed a strong network of local and regional musicians who present free outreach and educational concerts to schools, libraries, retirement communities and medical facilities. Our pay what you wish Milwaukee Early Music series offers wide-reaching exposure to timeless music from around the world, and our collaboration with Optimist Theatre brings early music to 15 Shakespeare in the Parks performances every summer.
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