Each of AnnaMaría’s albums tells a story. Perhaps no other combination of selections so dramatizes the relationships that tie rural northern New Mexico where lines flow from the ancestry of Mediterranean Spain like liquid silver through the veins of New Mexicans.Over 400 years ago, Spanish colonists entered northern New Mexico and infused the music that was popular in Spain to the remote mountainous regions of their isolated villages.
Fray Alonso de Benavides, a Franciscan, brought to Santa Fe a beautiful image of the Madonna dressed like an exquisite Palestinian princess. Within the adobe moradas, Moorish melodies were incorporated into the lament of the Penitentes.
Eventually, the Madonna was transformed into altered appearances and titles. A centuries-old tradition of uninterrupted veneration has continued when each fall Santa Fe celebrates Fiestas.
The Madonna may have had many titles attributed to her, but always she was symbolic of a mother’s love and protection of all of her children. She has always emanated a desire for peace among all people and reminds us today that multicultural diversity is a celebration.
It was during Fiestas that AnnaMaría first began performing. The chapel of Our Lady of Peace is within the St. Francis Cathedral, and Fiestas endure as an invitation as embrace.
AnnaMaria mixes classical guitar with her Spanish culture and comes up with stunning songs of praise. Every one of her CD's tells a story--and no words are used. As with all her CD's it is just her and the guitar, gentle and beautiful. AnnaMaria's Santa Fe Silver is another CD that tells a story in music, but without words. It is the story of Fray Alonso de Benavides, a Franciscan, who brought to Santa Fe, New Mexico, an image of the Madonna dressed like an exquisite Palestinian princess. Eventually, the Madonna was transformed into altered appearances and titles. A centuries-old tradition of uninterrupted veneration has continued when, each fall, Santa Fe celebrates Fiestas. This Madonna is symbolic of a mother's love and protection of all her children.
Love is a language that needs no words, like AnnaMaria's music.