Global Hit

Mercedes Sosa and Chava Alberstein

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The three days of national mourning with flags flying at half mast are over in Argentina. The country honored folk singer and hero Mercedes Sosa.

Sosa died on Sunday at the age of 74. We paid tribute to her on Monday by speaking with classical music composer Osvaldo Golijov. Golijov spoke of her international appeal.

“No matter what she sang people felt uplifted and nurtured and protected by her voice. Like in Israel, in France, in Denmark, in places where no one really knows what she’s singing about. But there’s something in her voice, the maternal quality and also the defiant quality, that I think is universal.”

Unfortunately, Osvaldo Golijov never had the opportunity to perform with Mercedes Sosa. BUT one musician who did was Israeli folk singer Chava Alberstein.

To many fans of both Mercedes Sosa and Chava Alberstein it was a match made in heaven. In their respective countries they’re regarded as folk heroes and human rights activists.

We’d like to end today’s program with a song they sung together in “Alfonsina y mar.” They performed it at a concert in Israel. Mercedes Sosa was the headliner. Chava Alberstein made a surprise appearance.

Mercedes Sosa sings in Spanish. Chava Alberstein sings in Hebrew.