In 2002 a remarkable bilingual performance was presented in Ashfield, near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.  This was the debut of the Cantata for Domitila, a work featuring a fusion of musical styles blended with traditional and modern Bolivian folk music.  The Cantata tells the story of Domitila Barrios de Chungara, a courageous Bolivian woman who has dedicated most of her life to the struggle for the rights of the tin miners of her country.

The music is all original and composed in  Australia.  The dialogue which links the songs is in Spanish and English, based on the book by Domitila Barrios, Let Me Speak!

The work was repeated, by popular demand, in 2003 and 2005.  Future presentations are being planned in response to interest from so many people in the story of Domitila and in the compelling music.  

A CD of the music (and some of the spoken word) has been released and is now available.  The CD package includes a booklet of the complete script.  Copies can be obtained at Music Front, Ashfield Mall, Ashfield and The Feminist Bookshop, Orange Grove Plaza, Lillyfield, or by contacting us through our email address below.

The price of the CD is $15. Proceeds from sales are to go to Bolivian and Australian charity projects.

More information and photos follow.

For samples from the show, right click on the following links and click on "save target as."

Sample 1

Sample 2

The inaugural presentation of the Cantata for Domitila was made possible by assistance from the Ashfield Municipal Council and the Japan Foundation. Other supporters include the Bolivian Consulate in Sydney, the Parramatta City Council for the 2005 presentation, and the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education in Croydon for the CD project . In addition, there was support from local Ashfield businesses, individuals and the performers themselves.

Sincerest thanks to all of these people.

The Cantata for Domitila is dedicated to the refugees of the world.