Friday, February 06, 2015

Gregorian Choir of Paris set to tour the Philippines

Gregorian Choir of Paris

Bringing the spiritual and sacred message that the world needs a form of silence that resembles a Gregorian chant, the world renowned Gregorian Choir of Paris tours the Philippines this February 18-27, 2015. This nationwide tour, presented by the Ayala Malls with the support of Alliance Française de Manille and Embassy of France to the Philippines is endorsed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

The Gregorian Choir of Paris gathers musicians from all over the world. The Choir have dedicated themselves in cultivating the Gregorian chant, both in its natural liturgical setting and in their concerts across the world.

For the Philippine tour, 26 singers, both male and female, will be coming to the Philippines featuring the acclaimed French organist Pascal Marsault. The singers come from France, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Colombia, Madagascar, Lithuania, Chile, and Republic of Korea. This prestigious ensemble, created in 1974, continue to carry the mission to preserve and to spread the tradition of sacred chanting of the Gregorian chant. This ensemble is comprised of two distinct entities: the male Choir and the female Choir, which was created 20 years later and The Gregorian Choir of Paris – Female Voices.

The male group sings at the Notre-Dame du Val-de-Grâce Church in Paris. The Female Voices interpret regularly the Gregorian repertoire within the liturgy of the Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois Church in Paris, as well as in festivals of sacred chants both in France and abroad.

The Choir has done numerous tours around the world during the last decade: Japan, Colombia, Egypt, Russia, China et Korea, Lebanon, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy and Switzerland, etc. These tours were some sort of “pilgrimages”, which aims to spread the musical and spiritual message of the Gregorian chant.

Concerts

February 18, 2015, 7:00 PM Alabang Town Center, Alabang
February 19, 2015, 7:00 PM San Agustin Church Intramuros, Manila
February 20, 2015, 7:00 PM Greenbelt, Makati
February 22, 2015, 7:00 PM Ayala Center, Cebu
February 25, 2015, 6:00 PM Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro
February 27, 2015, 6:00 PM Abreeza Mall, Davao

For the first time ever, the prestigious ensemble will be performing in the Philippines to spread a spiritual message of hope and solidarity especially after moments of natural and man-made upheavals in the country. It aims to echo through actual Gregorian chanting the resilience of the Filipino spirit. The concerts and masses of the Sacred Liturgy are also meant to promote the cultural heritage of the Church through its music tradition. St. Augustine of Hippo said a famous quote: Qui Bene Cantat Bis Orat (who sings well pray twice).

The Gregorian Choir of Paris will also be participating in the historic celebration of the 450th year of the presence of the Augustinians in the Philippines (1565-2015). As the first Catholic missionaries in the country, and with almost 150 churches scattered all over the country, the influence of the Augustinian order is very much imbedded in Philippine history and culture. The concert entitled In Civitate Dei (In the City of God) at the UNESCO declared World Heritage Church of San Agustin, Intramuros, on February 19, 2015, 7:00 PM, with the support of the SSI Group, Inc., Lacoste and Oliviers & Co., will be featuring a repertoire with Pascal Marsault on the 18th century Spanish baroque organ and the oldest existing organ in the country.

The spirit of the Gregorian Choir of Paris is to reach the people and touch their lives. The succeeding concerts entitled Virgo Mater Gloriosa will be held in Ayala Malls throughout the country with a program centered on the all-encompassing love of the Virgin Mary.

Masses

February 18, 2015, 8:00 AM St. Jerome Emiliani and Sta. Susana Parish, Alabang
February 20, 2015, 7:15 AM Greenbelt Chapel, Makati
February 21, 2015, 6:00 PM Cebu Cathedral
February 23, 2015, 5:00 PM Tagbilaran Cathedral, Bohol
February 24, 2015, 5:30 PM Nazareno Church, Cagayan de Oro
February 26, 2015, 5:30 PM Sacred Heart Parish, Davao

Music, to echo the words of Pope St. John Paul II, is indeed, “the supplement of the soul”. This is why the Gregorian Choir of Paris will also dedicate some special moments for prayer with the Filipinos and will perform the Sacred Liturgy in Latin in its natural setting.

Other activities

Parallel activities include a chorale workshop with the Loboc Children’s Choir in Bohol on February 23, 2015 and a workshop entitled Gregorian Choir of Paris: Celebrating the 450th Anniversary of the Christianization of the Philippines with Xavier University on February 25, 2015 in Cagayan de Oro.

Tickets:
Free admission. First-come, first-served basis.

For inquiries:
Ayala Malls
     Mitch Hernandez-Suarez 759-8000 local 8038, suarez.michelle@ayalamalls.com.ph
Alliance Française de Manille
     Eliz Agabin 895-7585, 895-7441, meagabin@alliance.ph
French Embassy
     Camille Conde 857-6916, camille.conde@diplomatie.gouv.fr

No comments:

Post a Comment