Benjamín Morales Oportus (1996) is a Chilean composer trained in Musical Composition at the University of Chile’s Bachelor of Arts program. His practice focuses on the exploration of specific acoustic phenomena—tensional tunings, resonant behaviors, and timbral frictions—approached not as effects but as primary material for musical composition.
He has composed works for chamber ensembles and orchestra, including Velocidad, curvatura for string orchestra (3rd prize in the XII “Orquesta Marga Marga” Composition Competition), Operador for mixed ensemble, and La repetición es una condición de la acción, premiered at Sala Isidora Zegers. His catalogue also includes Respira for brass quintet, premiered at the XXIV International Festival of Contemporary Music at the University of Chile, and Telúrico, a modular graphic score created in collaboration with visual artist Samuel Lira and premiered in Mexico City by the Desert Quill Quartet.
In the electroacoustic field he has developed acousmatic works and experimental music production, as well as sound design for film and theatre, including the short film El año del perro, premiered at FIDOCS 2024. He works with digital environments such as Ableton Live and Max as instrumental extensions, integrating electronic tools into the compositional process.
Alongside his work in contemporary music, he has participated in independent and experimental music projects such as Barrio, in collaboration with Samuel Lira, and the solo project Alberto, exploring modes of production and circulation associated with contemporary popular music.
He has participated in complementary training programs including the Gamelan Santiago workshop, dedicated to the exploration of traditional Indonesian music; the Sound Art Diploma organized by Tsonami; and the Mixtur Composition Workshop in Barcelona, where he worked with Catherine Lamb. He also maintains an independent teaching practice.