On December 4-7, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents the world premiere of Song of the Reappeared, a new song cycle by Matthew Aucoin. The piece is written especially for soprano soloist Julia Bullock, and is commissioned by Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Steve Novick for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Song of the Reappeared “is drawn from the blazing, visionary poetry of the Chilean writer Raúl Zurita,” notes Aucoin, “and the word ‘reappeared,’ in the title, refers to the thousands of people who were ‘disappeared’ — that is, murdered — in Chile throughout the repressive regime of the dictator Augusto Pinochet.” The piece is organized into three movements: a brief, intense first movement; a lyrical second movement that grows from an intimate beginning into vast, expansive musical vistas; and an energetic, righteously joyous finale.
Zurita’s life and work as an artist-activist particularly spoke to Aucoin at the onset of 2025. Zurita was a victim of detainment and torture by an authoritarian government; he was also a living embodiment of solidarity and non-violent protest. The text of Aucoin’s new song cycle is drawn from Zurita’s book-length poem INRI – a memorial to the victims of Pinochet’s atrocities, and a potent, surreal vision of resurrection.
Aucoin is thrilled to have Julia Bullock, a longtime friend and collaborator, as soloist for his new work. “Julia has this ability to be a truth-teller in her singing,” said Aucoin. “I think a lot of singers just try to sound beautiful. Julia does sound beautiful, but she cares about telling the truth. Personally, psychologically, you feel that what she’s giving you is authentic, and I felt that she was someone who could really deliver this poetry.”
A full program note is available here. Aucoin was recently interviewed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with whom he shares a long musical history, on how Song of the Reappeared came to be – that interview can be read here.
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