Aberdeen RC Diocese and St Mary’s Cathedral in Aberdeen are delighted to announce that on Friday 19th July, they are to host the Monaco boys choir – one of the world’s leading youth choirs who are celebrated internationally for their repertoire of classical and traditional works. The choir was established by Prince Albert I of Monaco in 1904 and is comprised of 30 boys between 9 and 18 years of age (images attached). Under the patronage of Prince Albert II, and with the generous support of the government of Monaco, the choir performs top quality charity concerts all around the world.
The choir gives an average of 40 concerts a year and has visited over 40 countries. Its musical repertoire includes works by well-known composers including Bach, Mozart, Fauré and Mendelssöhn as well as French chansons and traditional folk songs, along with popular pieces from the likes of the Sound of Music . It is an evening full of universal appeal and with many local churches and denominations being invited.
The choir have performed at venues such as the Kennedy Centre in Washington, the Opera of Shanghai, and the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow. It has also performed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris.
In 2018 the choir undertook an 11 date tour of Asia, culminating in a performance in the 5000 seat Tokyo International Forum with the renowned Japanese singer, Koji Tamaki, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Wonderful images of the choir, and other information is available on The Monaco Boys Choir Website
BOOKING AND EVENT INFO:
Date: Friday 19th July
Time: 19:30 (doors open at 19:00)
Location: St Mary’s Cathedral (20 Huntly Street Aberdeen, AB25 2BX)
Tickets: £10, £8 (concessions) available at the door on the day and in advance from Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) or Tel: 01224 641122
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Founded in 1974 as a part of Monaco Cathedral Choir, and placed under the High Patronage H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the Monaco Boys Choir contribute to showcase the Principality’s historic association with culture and the performing arts. All tours are generally organised by the Concerts Agencies. Abroad, the Choir is placed under the patronage of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco and sponsored by the Prince’s Government. Contacts with hosting countries are initiated via the Foreign Office and the Principality’s Diplomatic and Consular offices. ‘The Little Singers’ are officially introduced directly through the high intercession of H.E. the Ministry of State of the Principality. It is therefore an official activity, fully endorsed and supported by the Monegasque State.
The musical direction and piano accompaniment are undertaken by Pierre Debat, Chapel Master of the Palace and Cathedral of Monaco, Director of the Monaco Boys Choir.
The choir have also been associated with some performances of the Monte-Carlo Opera and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra: “La Bohème” and “Tosca” of Puccini, “Der Rosenkavalier” by Strauss, “Orfeo and Euridice” by Gluck, “Pelléas et Mélisande” by Debussy, “Carmen” by Bizet, “Nut-cracker” by Tchaïkovsky, “Werther” by Massenet”, “La Damnation de Faust” by Berlioz… and they took part to the first ever recording in French of Georges Enesco’s opera “Oedipe”, with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo conducted by Lawrence Foster, featuring José Van Dam, Gabriel Bacquier, Nicolai Gedda, Barbara Hendricks, Brigitte Fassbaender for EMI (First Disc Prize). They also sang in the Principality with Ruggero Raimondi, Katia Ricciarelli, Leo Nucci, Lucia Valentini- Terrani.
