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• 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!"

• Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis arranged parts of the poem cycle into an Oratorio for Two Solo Voices with a Mixed Choir and Orchestra.

• 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.