The dictatorship was established after the democratically elected socialist government of Salvador Allende was overthrown in a coup d'état backed by the United States on 11 September 1973. During this time, the country was ruled by a military junta headed by General Augusto Pinochet. 

Thousands of people were tortured and killed including my father. This story of atrocity not only happens in my country, as you may have noticed. This is why I choose to tell it so that we create good in the world instead. I personally invite you to my CHILE SONG SHOW on 23 April in Hove. >> Read my UK press about this.

Get your ticket today to avoid disappointment, the last show was sold out. Show will be live at venue in Hove and online.

I was inspired to write to Isabel Allende, international bestselling author from Chile, about the show. 

I cried when I received this email back from her:

Querida María Adriana

Thank you for sharing with me your story and your music. 

I send you a hug from California, 

Isabel Allende

Photo by Susan Grace Hinman

"The power of your performance comes from your authenticity, your passion, your emotion, your connection to the song that is made by your whole being - your body, your mind and soul comes shining through. 

It delightfully includes your tender vulnerability too, which is unbelievably endearing and a gift for those that get to experience your performance. It's such a rarity and I love it. And I think that that is why you will always attract an audience and bind them in a spell. Oh how we all want to be that congruent, that close to our true selves.

You are such a shining example of that in your performance and it is simply beautiful." 
~ Shirah Mustardé

Review by critically acclaimed playwright Maria McAteer

"In a world full of technically brilliant singers and musicians, why is it that for many of us, only a few really move us and touch our hearts? As a performer myself, I've attended so many gigs where I've been able to watch, appreciate and applaud the technical ability in front of me but I've left the gig feeling uninspired or moved in any way. We all look for something different when we attend a gig/performance.

For me personally, I want to feel honesty from the artist. I want rawness, I want to feel their uniqueness and hear their stories in the way they play or sing. I want to feel moved, inspired, I want them to touch my heart. Maria's gig last Friday did just that. There were no vocal acrobatics or tricks. Maria sang simply, purely and honestly accompanying herself on guitar.

There was no artist ego or wall to break through when watching Maria, she was completely open and if anything, her honesty may have caused some of us to consider our own walls and how we handle such pure honesty in performance. 

Her beautiful Chilean folk songs were interspersed with true stories from her troubled childhood in Chile. The atrocities that her family had to face were more than most of us could imagine but don't think for one moment that Maria sat their playing victim, she told her stories with humour and insight that only one, who has gone through such tragedy, healed and continued with life could share.

As she said, it's important to share these stories to ensure it doesn't happen again. But, is it happening again? Why do these atrocities keep happening? Thank you Maria for being brave enough to share your true self and true story. Your gig I know was both educational, thought provoking and very moving to all that attended."

María Adriana Showreel of Chilean Folk featuring:

• Yo Tuve Dos Mariposas
• El Sacristán
• La Prevenida
• La Llorona

#chileanfolk

#chileanmusic

#folklorechileno

#violetaparra

#victorjara

Photo: Paul Clancy

“Thank you so much for your beautiful performance tonight. It was enchanting, emotional and uplifting all at the same time. 

I have been all over South America for all of my adult life and have never felt like I’ve understood Chile and Chilean culture until tonight. You telling your story through both words and music was really enlightening and I feel much more connected to the culture than I even did while I was there. 

I can’t wait to see your documentary and to see you perform again. Thank you so much for sharing such personal trauma too. It’s a special story and I feel privileged to have heard it. 

You’ve left a wonderful impact on me and I thank you for that as it’s really quite rare to gain so much from one night.

~ Emma

We had the privilege of gathering to experience the mesmerising voice of Maria Adriana as she brought to life folk songs from her childhood homeland, forever altered by the Pinochet regime. 

Through her music, she wove stories of significance and meaning, opening her heart about the harrowing experience of surviving genocide and spending her first six years hidden from the world. 

Her powerful narrative helped us grasp the profound realities of being a refugee and the deep loss of home and family. 

Together, we savoured Chilean cuisine and cocktails, enveloped in her captivating melodies.

#MusicHeals #RefugeeStories #ChileanHeritage