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"Chanticleer", the American A Cappella ensemble globally renowned as "an orchestra of voices", will perform American folk, gospel songs and jazz, as well as the songs of Stephen Foster, Samuel Barber, Mexican and American Indian composers, in their Hong Kong debut.
The Grammy-winning ensemble is based in San Francisco and was founded by the late tenor Louis Botto in 1978. The name "Chanticleer" is from the "clear-singing" rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". The ensemble has developed a remarkable reputation for its vivid interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music. Joseph Jennings, a prolific composer and arranger who was the group's artistic advisor and music director, has provided the group with some of its most popular repertoire, most notably spirituals, gospel music and jazz standards. Tenor Matthew Oltman became the group's music director last year.
Chanticleer has toured 27 states across the United States and performed at prestigious festivals in France, Germany, Poland and Latvia over the past 30 years. It will make its China debut in May before the Hong Kong performance. The group's recordings have won critical acclaim and Grammy awards, including the album "Colors of Love" which garnered "Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without conductor)" and "the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for Best Classical Album". The world-premiere recording of Sir John Tavener's "Lamentations and Praises" won "Classical Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without conductor)" and "Best Classical Contemporary Composition".
"A Cappella Series: Chanticleer (USA)" concert will be staged at 8pm on May 10 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets priced at $100, $180 and $250 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients are entitled to 50% off (limited quotas for CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). Special discount applies to purchase with "A Cappella Series: Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa)". Group discount is also available. For more details, please check the programme leaflet.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, call 2734 9009 (from April 10 onwards); for credit card telephone booking, call 2111 5999; for Internet booking, visit www.urbtix.hk; for more information, visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp .
An A Cappella Workshop (conducted by Chanticleer in English)¡@will be held at 7.30pm on May 9 (Saturday) at CR1, 7/F, Backstage, Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The workshop includes a demonstration, masterclass and learning to sing A Cappella. Tickets priced at $80 are now available at URBTIX outlets.
Ends/Thursday, April 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:26
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