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
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
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
Eliz Agabin 895-7585, 895-7441, meagabin@alliance.ph
French
Embassy
Camille Conde 857-6916, camille.conde@diplomatie.gouv.fr
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