Join Choir of the Earth for our exciting new course to learn, sing and record the Argentinian Tango-inspired work taking the choral world by storm: Misatango by Martín Palmeri!
The Choir first learned this thrilling work in 2021 and since then its popularity has only grown. We will be revisiting this work with Musical Director Ben England BEM in 2026, and would love you to join us!
What we will learn
We will learn and record Martín Palmeri’s thrilling Misa a Buenos Aires - often called Misatango. It is a dramatic setting of a traditional Latin mass, with an Argentinian Tango flavour, and an instant favourite for many who sing it.
About the composer
Martín Palmeri Martín Palmeri (b. 1965) is an Argentinian composer and conductor best known for music that bridges classical choral traditions with the rhythmic language and emotional intensity of tango. Based in Buenos Aires, he’s become especially recognized for writing in a way that feels “at home” for classically trained choirs and ensembles while still sounding unmistakably Argentine - lyrical melodies, dramatic harmonic turns, and pulse-driven accompaniment patterns that nod to tango’s dance roots. His output includes orchestral, choral, and chamber works, and his international reputation has been shaped largely by one piece that spread rapidly through choir communities around the world: Misatango.
A little about the piece
Misa a Buenos Aires (often titled Misatango) is Palmeri’s striking fusion of the Latin Mass text with tango and tango nuevo idioms. Scored for a mezzo-soprano soloist, mixed choir (SATB), bandoneon, piano and strings, the work places sacred liturgical words into a sound world associated with the streets and salons of Buenos Aires. That contrast is the point - you’ll hear the classic tango engine - syncopation, habanera-like undercurrents, sharp accents, and sweeping, bittersweet melodic lines - supporting traditional choral writing. The bandoneon, in particular, is the “signature” colour: it can sigh, snap, and shimmer, instantly grounding the piece in tango identity even when the choir is singing in a more classical style.
Structurally, Misatango follows the familiar Mass movements (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei), but Palmeri treats each section almost like its own tango scene with a distinct groove, tempo, and emotional profile. Some movements lean into driving dance energy and rhythmic bite; others open into long-breathed lyricism where the soloist floats above the choir and strings, creating a devotional atmosphere without abandoning the tango inflection underneath. Harmonically, Palmeri uses colourful, sometimes jazzy extensions and shifting minor/major shades that feel close to tango nuevo - never abstract for its own sake, but always expressive, often pulling between tenderness and urgency.
Part of why Misatango has become such a modern choral staple is that it’s immediately communicative: the rhythms are visceral, the melodies are memorable, and the dramatic arc lands even for listeners who don’t know the Mass text. At the same time, it’s a satisfying challenge for performers - choirs have to lock in tango-style articulation (crisp consonants, precise syncopations, clean cutoffs), and instrumentalists must balance classical blend with the punchy, speech-like phrasing of tango. When it comes together, the result is a compelling cultural synthesis: a Mass that feels simultaneously reverent and worldly, rooted in tradition yet unmistakably contemporary and Buenos Aires-born.
Hear the Choir’s 2021 recording of Misatango here, conducted by Saul Zaks:
Our teaching and resources
Our online courses are designed to be flexible and welcoming. You will get:
A one-hour full choir rehearsal each week of the course, led by our Musical Director, Ben England
A one-hour sectional rehearsal focused on your voice part (soprano, alto, tenor or bass) each week, with the option to attend any others you like - learn and record as many voice parts as you like, or just come along to enjoy the music and live chat
Rehearsal tracks recorded by professional singers and musicians - for this course, with piano by the composer himself
The option to record and submit your own recordings, which will be combined with singers around the world to create a final mixed performance
Our rehearsals take place between 17:00 to 19:00 UK time - a full schedule will be provided on our exclusive Members’ Area prior to the course launch. Can’t make it live? No problem - our rehearsals are recorded and available immediately so you can catch up at a time that suits you!
At the end of the course, our global recording will be premiered on YouTube as a concert - a celebration of what we have learned and created together.
You don’t need any previous choral experience to take part in our courses - just a love of singing and a way to get online.
Our innovative learning tools mean you will learn this stunning music in a depth you don’t get with any other choir.
ℹ️ Find out more about how Choir of the Earth works here.
Be part of it
Our course launch session (date TBC) will be open to all, so please come along to hear more about the music and how the course will work.
If you would like to sing Misatango with Choir of the Earth, simply sign up as a member. Sign up for an annual membership to enjoy the rest of our amazing programme and save around 12% across the year (that’s 6 weeks of singing absolutely free!)
We hope to sing with you soon!
Discover Choir of the Earth with a full sample week of rehearsals - learn the Sanctus from Haydn’s Harmoniemesse with us here:
Find the score and sample rehearsal tracks from Richard Gowers and Fieri Consort in the description underneath each video
Disclaimer: While we make every effort to ensure that courses proceed on the dates and with the content advertised, unforeseen circumstances may require changes on occasion. We endeavour to minimise such alterations, but we reserve the right to make adjustments if necessary.