Luis Ernesto Peña Laguna Appointed Composer-in-Residence of Voces Boreales
The Artistic Director of Voces Boreales, Andrew Gray, announces the appointment of Luis Ernesto Peña Laguna as Composer-in-Residence for the 2026 season.
A Cuban-born composer recently settled in Montréal, Luis Ernesto Peña Laguna is recognized for the originality of his musical language and his strong interest in vocal composition inspired by spirituality and imagined folklore. His artistic approach—shaped by his heritage from Las Tunas, Cuba, and by a fresh perspective on Québec’s cultural legacy—gives rise to music that is both deeply personal and expressive.
Bringing my music from Cuba to Montréal is a profoundly moving experience. This residency offers me a space of freedom and deep inspiration.
— Luis Ernesto Peña Laguna
Lasting six months, the Composer-in-Residence program is a professional development initiative offered by Voces Boreales and supported by the Conseil des arts de Montréal. During the duration of this internship, Luis Ernesto Peña Laguna will compose an original work to be premiered at the ensemble’s upcoming concert, From the St. Lawrence to the Sea, to be presented at the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours. The work will offer a vision of the river as a living link between the city and the wider world, in a dialogue between memory and contemporaneity.
20 Years of Voces Boreales
In 2026, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary, Voces Boreales reaffirms its commitment to Québec’s composers and creators. Since 2014, the ensemble has performed more than 60 Canadian works, including over a dozen world premieres.
