Inaugural Season · 2026–27 OrchestraFinder is brand new. Membership is free, for life. Join before August 31, 2027 and carry the Inaugural Member badge forever. Join free, for life →

Composers · Osvaldo Golijov

Vocal

Ayre

Osvaldo Golijov

Ayre is a song cycle by Osvaldo Golijov for soprano and a mixed ensemble, drawing on Sephardic, Arabic and Christian songs from medieval Spain and beyond.

Add to my calendar

What to listen for

Ayre is a cycle of songs rather than one long movement. The soprano sings texts in several languages, and the ensemble blends orchestral instruments with instruments from other traditions, such as oud and percussion. Expect the mood to shift from one song to the next, from quiet and mournful to dance-like and fiery. There are no famous tunes to wait for. The pleasure is in the singer's voice and the unusual colors around it.

The story

Golijov wrote Ayre in the early 2000s for soprano Dawn Upshaw. It draws on songs and poems from the Sephardic Jewish, Arab and Christian traditions of Spain, and Upshaw recorded it with an ensemble.

Written by OrchestraFinder, reviewed September 2026.

Inaugural Season Members who join by August 31, 2027 keep the Inaugural Member badge forever, and every September 1 everyone moves up a chair: Prelude, Second Violin, First Violin, Principal, Concertmaster, Soloist, Guest Conductor, Music Director, Maestro, Laureate. The ranks