Naranja Dulce, Limón Partido

A string quartet program exploring 20th-century Mexican classical music with song and dance, romance, and childlike play!

Pilsen Classical is a chamber music collective co-founded by violinist Alejandra Switala and cellist Everardo Sánchez, dedicated to making classical music more accessible, inclusive, engaging, and frankly, fun. Featuring a rotating roster of extraordinary musicians, Pilsen Classical reimagines the concert experience through creative event programming, unconventional spaces, and a welcoming, community-centered approach. Rooted in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, the collective brings together artists, audiences, and neighbors through a shared love of music and collaboration. Whether experiencing classical music for the first time or the thousandth, everyone is invited to feel at home, connect with others, and be part of the community.

Our program “Naranja Dulce, Limón Partido” honors and explores the expansive history of classical music in Mexico throughout the 20th Century with childlike play. Featuring pieces that blend together children’s folk songs, recognizable Mexican Nationalistic dances, and romantic gestures, consider this program a belated DDLM celebration, cherishing memories of the past and honoring our loved ones and friends, both those still with us and those that have passed on.