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Luzmila Carpio

Part of FLAWA

Luzmila Carpio singing, she is wearing a colourful traditional indigenous outfit with her hands outstretched above her

Bolivian Singer, author and composer Luzmila Carpio debuts her latest work as part of the Festival of Latin American Women in the Arts (FLAWA).

Mixing contemporary and indigenous rhythms from the Andes, Carpio’s otherworldly soprano soars, sounding closer to a theremin, or the pan flutes that pepper her sound. These vocals – woven over layers of bird sound, guitar, woodwinds and bells – are indebted to Quechua culture; specifically, its devotionals to the goddess Pachamama, or Mother Earth. A testament to her boundary pushing – she has collaborated with electronic artists such as Chancha Via Circuito and Nicola Cruz.

Dubbed ‘the voice of the Andes’, Carpio, who was born in Potosí and sings in Quechua and Spanish, promotes indigenous culture and heritage. She was appointed Bolivian ambassador to France from 2006 to 2010 and was honoured by the French government in 2011 as a Grand Officer of l'Ordre National du Mérite.

Tagged with: Contemporary music

Produced by the Barbican

Part of FLAWA

Supported by the Arts Council England

Logo for FLAWA

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