Voces Festival 2026 Concert 1: Quimantu & Guests

The Voces Festival 2026 brings all the magic of traditional and new music in a unique celebration of world cultures and community.

In this first concert the celebrated Anglo-Dutch-Chilean band Quimantu bring to the Lyric their unique repertoire of songs and instrumental music that reaches from Latin America to England and far beyond, blending ancient spirit with distinctive contemporary influences born from the cosmopolitan culture of London. Their distinctive sound and virtuoso musicianship are expertly channelled through the great artistry and beauty of the songwriting and arranging of the group’s director Mauricio Venegas-Astorga. Featuring the exquisite vocals of lead singer Laura Venegas-Rojas, their music combines a panoply of strings, percussion and wind, with the superb and brilliant string playing of Rachel Pantin, Emma Purslow and Jobine Siekman. Special guests will join Quimantu on stage for a truly uplifting and inspiring performance, touching souls and minds with equal depth.

“Throughout that thrilling concert at the Lyric, we were gifted the dazzling voice of Mauricio’s daughter, Laura Venegas-Rojas, which can be both tender and forceful – sometimes in the very same song. Her delicious tone and phrasing were perfectly matched by the haunting violin playing of Rachel Pantin”

“The quality of musicianship was unrivalled, the music was moving and inspiring and the audience loved it.”

“Not only are they incredibly skilful musicians, there is a depth and soul to their playing which has a profound impact on the listener. They restore my faith in humanity every time I hear them.”

“With a combination of sounds coming from the most diverse corners of Chile, Latin America and the world, the band led by Mauricio Venegas-Astorga and based in England, showed just how delicate and tidy the performance of folk music can be when united by the conviction of the universality of music.”

Javier Villagran... Journalist, El Mercurio de Valparaiso, Chile

For full details of the Voces Festival programme visit www.voceschilenas.com

Concert start time 8.00pm 

Unreserved seating, doors open 7.40pm

Please note that Quimantu will play one set, with no interval

About Quimantu

Quimantu’s 2025 Surtierra Tour culminated with two sold out concerts in Covent Garden’s Actor’s Church. The tour was the embodiment of the group’s exceptional talent for creating shows that are joyful and uplifting experiences fuelled by virtuosic instrumental and vocal performers.

Since forming the band in 1981 Mauricio Venegas-Astorga has created a unique blend through the exceptional use of the hundreds of traditional folk styles of the vibrant Latin-American continent, skilfully combined with contemporary influences, Western Classical music, Celtic, African and Indian styles. The group’s evolution has produced its current Anglo-Chilean-Dutch line-up featuring the exquisite vocals of Mauricio’s English-born daughter Laura and incorporating a trio of virtuoso string players.

Alongside touring to perform in Chile, regular concerts in London have been in notable venues such as Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Purcell Room, St John’s Smith Square, and Barbican Hall, and in Paris at the Folies Bergère. Rural touring in England and Scottish Highlands and Islands has taken Quimantu’s distinctive global sound to packed village halls around the UK. Collaborations with many nationally and internationally renowned musicians and composers have included guitarist John Williams, Richard Harvey, Illapu’s Eric Maluenda and Steve Knightley.

Amongst international festival appearances are Rose of Tralee and Letterkenny International Festivals in Eire, International Festival of Music and Dance in Cyprus, Abbracciamondo Festival Italy and Cheoyong Culture Festival in South Korea. UK festivals have included Skye World Music, Chichester Festivities, Sidmouth, Larmer Tree and Broadstairs.

About Musiko Musika

Musiko Musika designs, develops, and delivers innovative music projects, programmes, and events with a social and cultural impact including creative & instrumental workshops, ensembles, training, family learning, audio and video content and publications. Founded in 1998 and jointly directed by the musicians Mauricio Venegas-Astorga and Rachel Pantin we are funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation and are one of the Lyric Partners based at the Lyric Hammersmith.

We are very grateful for the funding support of Arts Council England