The poem cycle Canto General by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda about Latin America’s struggle against colonialism is a protest against lethargy and feelings of impotence by drawing on the roots, making historical contexts transparent and restoring man’s own possibilities of development in awareness. Hence, the Canto General has become a universal work with the message ‘a different world is possible!’.

Parts of the poem cycle were arranged into an Oratorio for Two Solo Voices with a Mixed Choir and Orchestra by the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis. This recording by the Choir of Erste Bank, supported by Protestant Choirs from Vienna, Lower Austria and Styria (choir master: Sybille von Both), soloists Julia Schilinski, mezzo soprano, and Sergio Cattaneo, baritone, and the Orquesta de nuestra tierra, is conducted by Leopold Griessler.