“The composer’s concise, witty and heartfelt debut album pays homage to his home state and his grandparents, who also called New Mexico their home… Canto Caló is deeply moving, and the love and attention Benavides and his collaborators have for New Mexico and its people is irresistible.”

• Sofía Rocha

“Nicolás Lell Benavides writes with superb confidence, managing to invoke place and culture while maintaining his own sonic signature… A fascinating introduction to the significant voice of Nicolás Lell Benavides.”

Colin Clarke

This article originally appeared in Issue 49:5 (May/June 2026) of Fanfare Magazine.

By Mia Casas

Sunday, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller declared October 26 Nicolás Lell Benavides Day. It was at the New Mexico premier of the composer’s new opera Dolores, about his cousin, Dolores Huerta.

Now Benavides has released an album titled Canto Caló. It’s a two part work in Spanish and accompanied by a four string quartet that he calls a love letter to New Mexico and his heritage. He spoke with KUNM’s Mia Casas.