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05/18/2007
German youth choir to fill City Opera House with voicesChristophorus-Kantorei stopping during first U.S.-Canadian tourTRAVERSE CITY — The world-renowned German a capella youth choir Christophorus-Kantorei is just the group to showcase the newly renovated City Opera House's acoustics, events coordinator Philip Leete said. "This is the first time in over 50 years anybody could sit in the balcony listening to choral music,” he said, adding that the balcony was "un-occupiable” until seats were installed earlier this month as part of extensive renovations. It's also the first-ever tour of the United States and Canada for the 62-voice choir from Altensteig, Germany, featuring boys and girls ages 14-19. They will sing here Tuesday, May 29, at 7 p.m. The group was founded in 1962 by Juerg Wieber and has been directed by Michael Nonnenmann since 1993. Under Nonnenmann's leadership, the Christophorus-Kantorei has won several prizes at national and international competitions. In 2003, Michael Nonnenmann was recognized with an award from the German National Music Council. The choir won first place in 1997 and 2001 at the Landeschor Competition in Baden-Wurttemberg; first place with distinction at the 2000 48th European Youth Music Festival in Neerpelt, Belgium; third place in 2002 at the Choir Competition in Osnabruck, Germany and the 2005 first prize at the Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros in Spain. Their travels have taken them to South Africa, Argentina, and throughout Europe performing and competing. The choir, which has recorded about 20 CDs, will be singing from an extensive repertoire of sacred and secular music from Renaissance to gospels and jazz arrangements. Special highlights include oratorios and musicals by Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Berloiz, Bruch, Schumann and many other composers and arrangers. Leete heard about the group's upcoming two-week tour that includes Chicago, Michigan, Ontario and New York City, and decided the choir was perfect for the 650-seat venue. "I jumped on it,” he said. "It seemed like a natural fit.” The Opera House lends a "crispness” to vocal music when performed there, Leete said. Tickets are $10, or $8 for senior citizens, and are available at cityoperahouse.org or by calling 941-8082.
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