Tribulations (2025)
Luís Tinoco (b. Lisbon, 1969) 
World Premiere commissioned by Music of Remembrance

It has been estimated that more than 200,000 Jews lived in Portugal by the late 15th-Century. After the Inquisition, they could remain there only by converting to Christianity. While many accepted their new religion, many others — the so-called “crypto-Jews”— conformed in public but continued to observe Judaism behind closed doors. Tinoco describes how their stories inspired this new work:

"Samuel Usque was a Portuguese Jew, whose ancestors had fled Spain. Usque would later settle in Italy where he published his only known work, 'Consolation for the Tribulations of Israel' (1553), acknowledged by scholars as a masterpiece of Portuguese and Sephardic literature. Inspired by Biblical and classical books, Usque tells the history of the Jewish people across the centuries. His narration of these events — such as the conversions forced by the Holy Office — is vivid and moving. This inspired me to write a piece that blends narration and sung words, depicting some of the emotions witnessed by Usque himself and his Jewish contemporaries, summed up in five movements that set fragments of the following chapters: When The Jews From Castile Entered Portugal; When My Children Were Sent To The Lizards; When They Were Made Christians By Force; The Slaughter in Portugal; and Concerning The Inquisition In Portugal."

​​​​​​​Composer Luís Tinoco is the recipient of the 2025 year’s Pessoa Prize — Portugal’s most prestigious arts and sciences award, given in recognition of Portuguese people who play a significant role in the country’s cultural and scientific life. His chamber, orchestral and musical theater works have been performed around the world, and he has been acclaimed for his passionate commitment to music that speaks out boldly.

World Premiere recorded live at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall on March 16, 2025.