About

Musique Royale is delighted to welcome Payadora, the award-winning and internationally acclaimed ensemble who captivate audiences with their unique take on South American folk music. Drawing influences from Argentina to Eastern Europe and paying homage to the legendary Astor Piazzolla, Payadora plays the tango with an authenticity that is both steamy and sophisticated. Their artistry has garnered praise from critics and fans alike, with The Ottawa Citizen hailing them as a “World Class Contemporary Chamber Ensemble” and The WholeNote declaring them a “Superstar group!”. Join us on Friday October 11 at 7 pm at Cecilia’s Retreat in Mahone Bay to hear Payadora up close, for this not-to-be-missed evening event!

About Payadora

“The beloved ensemble that is tango and beyond. It is world. It is classical. It is jazz. It is tango…a delicious swirl of music that is the Payadora Ensemble.” – The New Classical FM 96.3

Payadora is an award-winning ensemble that performs its own arrangements of a core repertoire drawing from Argentinian/Uruguayan traditions (tangos, milongas, waltzes, and folk music such as the Zamba and chacarera), as well as original songs inspired by that tradition. Comprised of musicians who are each musical powerhouses in their own right, this “superstar group” has combined their profound love of tango with their classical, jazz and world music backgrounds to create something entirely new. Payadora is officially endorsed by the Argentinian Consulate in Toronto for its adherence to the spirit of tango, and audiences flock to performances that convey joy, virtuosity, humour and intense passion.

In the spring of 2023, Payadora’s third and latest CD, the critically acclaimed “Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango”, reached #1 on the World Music Charts in Europe, accompanied by rave reviews, airtime, and press coverage around the globe, including the BBC, CTV, CBC television and radio, the Bangkok Post, NPR, and RTE Irish Public Radio. “…The most memorable release I have ever had the privilege to listen to and review” (WholeNote Magazine). They have been named on “Best of” lists on NPR’s Rhythm Atlas, Finnish National Radio and CBC Classical.

Payadora won the German world music prize in 2024 (Weltmusikpreis RUTH award) and will be performing in the famous world music festival, Rudolstadt in July where they will receive the award.They will also tour Poland, and Austria in summer 2024.

Payadora is nominated for two 2024 Ontario Folk Music Awards: Best Performing Artists and Best Album.

In October, 2024 Payadora tours Atlantic Canada with Debut Atlantic. In January 2025, Payadora will be performing their show “Tango Apasionado” with PointeTango Dance Company across Florida including shows in Miami, Key West and Palm Coast. Tango Apasionado

Since 2013, Payadora has presented concerts and sold-out shows at the National Arts Centre, Ottawa Chamberfest, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, Stratford Summer Music, Toronto Summer Music, Festival of the Sound, Vancouver Island MusicFest, Toronto Jazzfest, the COC’s World Music Series at the Four Seasons Centre and the World Accordion & Tango Festival in Victoria. Payadora has also collaborated with the London Symphonia, the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony and the Hannaford Street Silver Band, as well as with PointeTango Dance Company, which explores the intersection between classical dance and earthy tango. Their sold-out 2023 European tour (Madrid, Copenhagen, Budapest and London) included a live-to-air BBC performance.