World premiere brings grief, gratitude to life through song

Asheville composer's song cycle explores a mother's journey after stillbirth

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:21pm

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Chamber music company Pan Harmonia is honored to perform the world-premiere of Asheville composer Carolina Perez's song cycle 'Matilda: A Mother's Grief Journey After Stillbirth' this month. The piece explores a mother's emotional experience following the stillbirth of her child.

Why it matters

The performance aims to bring awareness to the profound grief and complex emotions experienced by parents who have lost a child, while also celebrating the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable loss.

The details

Perez's song cycle 'Matilda: A Mother's Grief Journey After Stillbirth' is a deeply personal work that draws from her own experiences after the stillbirth of her daughter. The piece features a mix of classical and contemporary musical styles to capture the full range of emotions a mother goes through during the grieving process.

  • The world premiere performance will take place on April 15, 2026 in Asheville, North Carolina.

The players

Carolina Perez

An Asheville-based composer who wrote the song cycle 'Matilda: A Mother's Grief Journey After Stillbirth' based on her own personal experience with stillbirth.

Pan Harmonia

A chamber music company in Asheville, North Carolina that is honored to perform the world premiere of Perez's song cycle.

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What they’re saying

“This piece is a deeply personal exploration of the grief, love, and resilience that emerge from the profound loss of a child. My hope is that it will provide comfort and connection for others who have experienced similar tragedies.”

— Carolina Perez, Composer

What’s next

Tickets for the world premiere performance on April 15th are on sale now through the Pan Harmonia website.

The takeaway

Through the power of music, 'Matilda: A Mother's Grief Journey After Stillbirth' aims to give voice to the complex emotions surrounding pregnancy loss, while also celebrating the enduring strength of the human spirit.