Guarani Mbya Choir and ALMAI Orchestra merge voices in symphonic album

“Yy Jojou – Encontro das Águas” unites Guarani Mbya chants and classical music, with a free concert in São Paulo on March 14. Now available on digital platforms, “Yy Jojou – Encontro das Águas” fulfills a long-held dream: bringing Guarani Mbya ancestral music into dialogue with the symphonic tradition. The project brings together the Amba Wera Indigenous Choir and the ALMAI Orchestra, directed by composers José Calixto Cohon and Anselmo Mancini. The result is a piece of contemporary classical music centered on Guarani spirituality and voice. The orchestral arrangements do not dominate but listen, embrace, and expand the indigenous chants, creating a soundscape that feels ritualistic and timeless. Founded over twenty years ago in the Tekoa Pyau Village (Jaraguá Indigenous Territory), the Amba Wera Choir is led by Maurício Biguai Poty, a key community leader. For the first time, an indigenous choir leads the creative process, instead of being merely a source of inspiration for non-Indigenous composers. Known for its innovation, the ALMAI Orchestra continues to merge classical and modern repertoires. Under Anselmo Mancini’s direction, the ensemble reaffirms its commitment to cultural exchange after acclaimed projects like the Brazilian rendition of Max Richter’s recomposed “The Four Seasons.” This album stands as both an artistic and political statement — a journey of respect, dialogue, and listening that opens new paths for understanding Brazil through the lens of Guarani heritage. Event Date: Saturday, March 14, at 5 PM Venue: Biblioteca Mário de Andrade – Rua da Consolação, 94 Free admission Photo: Anna Bogaciovas