Multi-award-winning Toronto artist and performer, Eliana Cuevas, announces an incredible sonic-cinematic venture, Seré Libre, her forthcoming album set to release May 12 on Alma Records. The collection of songs will feature imaginative orchestral versions of her original repertoire with a focus on her roots, showcasing a unique take on music based on the Venezuelan tradition. Seré Libre marks a debut collaboration recording with the Angel Falls Orchestra — a new 27-piece orchestra featuring some of the best and most versatile classical musicians in Toronto — arranged, conducted, and produced by JUNO Award-winning pianist, Jeremy Ledbetter.
Today, everything begins to flow as Eliana shares Como Llora una Estrella, the first single from Seré Libre. It symbolizes a beautiful tribute to Eliana's grandfather, who adored the poetic song about heartbreak, originally written by Antonio Carrillo. The title translates to 'the way a star cries' and is a favourite amongst many.
"It takes me back home to my childhood and to my family," Eliana adds. "I had to practice singing this song several times before the recording session because Jeremy's breathtaking arrangement would bring me to tears every time and I needed to be able to sing it! One of my favourite moments happens in the interlude, it was supposed to be an instrumental section, but I had to sing a beautiful line Jeremy wrote, I just couldn't resist!"
The seven tracks across Seré Libre will showcase the intricate and layered elements of traditional Venezuelan music, often less known or understood in comparison to other Latin genres. "Being able to feature it in an orchestral setting like this was a dream come true," Eliana says of the album's impact. Songs, ranging from covers of Venezuelan traditional, to Eliana's own work draw inspiration from an array of emotive social and personal themes: a deep yearning to witness improvement of the economic and political situation in Venezuela, living in the present moment, life after death, loss, love and beyond.
The vibrant, dynamic album will receive a worldwide premiere through a stunning long-form visual performance of the album alongside the Angel Falls Orchestra, presented in Dolby Atmos Immersive audio, at Cineplex Yorkdale's UltraAVX theatre in Toronto, Ontario on Thursday, May 11. The individual videos of each track performed alongside the orchestra will also be available to stream at VEVO/YouTube on release day.
Seré Libre marks the most ambitious musical project of Eliana's career to date. Taking many risks while adhering to ever-changing pandemic protocols in the process, courage and perseverance were the ingredients that ensured a collaborative experience for all.
Complete with immersive, refined production, the accompanying piece will further emphasize the compositions and master musicianship, while bringing a passionate celebration of Eliana's culture and heritage to the fore. Eliana and Jeremy worked alongside the 27-piece Angel Falls Orchestra, named after the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall of the same name, located in Auyán-tepui, Canaima National Park, Venezuela. Thom Varey directed the production at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts with audio engineers, Justin Gray and Patric McGroarty. The album was recorded live-off-the-floor without the isolation you would have in a recording studio - thus, no room for edits or numerous takes. This process marked Eliana's first time performing alongside a full orchestra - many of the members she had never met prior.
Seré Libre is the seventh entry in Eliana Cuevas' eclectic discography, one that has brought her wins at the National Jazz Awards, Toronto Independent Music Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards, and the Independent Music Awards in the US.