Impressions from the CIC Concert at Göttweig Abbey

Carolina International Chorale concludes 2008 Italy Performance Tour with highlight concert in Frascati

The Carolina International Chorale directed by Dr. Sue Klausmeyer concludes its 2008 Italy Performance Tour with Incantato on July 2 with a highlight concert in Frascati.
The choir from Chapel Hill, North Carolina will present Ray Roger's "Gospel Mass" with piano, bass and drums along with other gospels and spirituals. The performance starts at 8 pm at the Scuderie Aldobrandini.

Two successfull performances for CIC in Rome

The Carolina International Chorale directed by Dr. Sue Klausmeyer sang twice on July 1 in Rome and both performances were a success for the singers and audiences alike. Especially the reception and turn-out for the ensembles formal concert at Sant' Agnese in Agone was outstanding - over one hundred people were waiting anxiously in front of the magnificent church at Piazza Navona for the gate to open. CIC presented its 2008 Italy Tour program titled "The Soulful Sounds of Spiritual and Gospel Music" to several hundred people and received lots of applause.
Pictures will be added asap.

CIC presents "The Soulful Sounds of Spiritual & Gospel Music" in Sant' Agnese in Agone

The Carolina International Chorale presents its first individual formal concert aspart of the group's 2008 Performance Tour to Italy on July 1, 2008 at 9 pm at the beautiful church of Sant' Agnese in Agone on Piazza Navona in Rome. The concert is titled "The Soulful Sounds of Spiritual & Gospel Music".
At 6 pm, the ensemble from Chapel Hill, North Carolina under the direction of Dr. Sue Klausmeyer is the featured guest choir for High Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

"I can't believe we just sang in the Sistine Chapel"

The singers from both the California State University Long Beach Chamber Choir and the Carolina International Chorale were amazed when they sang in the Sistine Chapel on June 30, 2008 as part of their Incantato Performance Tours to Italy. Both choirs had the opportunity to perform several works in this amazing venue right in front of Michelangelo's Last Judgement as part of their private visit to the Vatican Museums. While no recordings were allowed, the memories of this essential artistic experience in one of the world's most beautiful and exclusive venues will last a lifetime.

Carmina Burana concert at the beautiful Chiostro di San Pietro in Vincoli a true success

“The sexiest Carmina Burana Rome has ever heard”, that was conductor Jonathan Talberg’s promise for the concert event on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 9.00 pm at the Chiostro di San Pietro in Vincoli (Monumental cloister of Saint Peter in Chains) - and he didn't promise too much. The audience of several hundred paying spectators - mainly Italians - were very moved by the performance and rewarded the musicians with minute-long applause. The setting in the historical courtyard which is now part of the Roman University La Sapienza contributed to the success of the concert that concluded the 2008 Incantato Festival.
Under the direction of Dr. Talberg, a highly-skilled US-American director and renowned university professor, almost 100 singers from three choirs performed Carl Orff’s masterwork in the reduced version for soloists, mixed choir, two pianos and percussion: The California State University Long Beach Chamber Choir supported by singers from the University Choir and the Carolina International Chorale from Chapel Hill, North Carolina (under the direction of Sue Klausmeyer).
Carmina Burana is an exciting and moving cantata based on 24 poems from the 13th century that were discovered in a Bavarian monastery. The poems cover a wide selection of secular topics as familiar to us today as they undoubtedly were in the 13th century: the transient nature of wealth, the fickleness of fortune, the joy of the return of Spring, and the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling and sex. The music has a here-and-now quality that captures the attention of modern audiences, it is surging, powerful and sometimes very erotic.
When asked to sum up the work in two phrases, Dr. Talberg said: "Carmina was written by monks who wish they weren't monks or in the words of the 60s, it is all about sex, drugs and rock'n roll".
The concert opened the Roman Summer Musical Festival “E Lucevan le stelle – Musica nel Chiostro” and followed the Incantato Carmina Burana Festival 2008 on the Amalfi Coast where 120 singers performed Carmina Burana with full symphony orchestra on June 27 in the Anfiteatro di Maiori. The event was organized by the New York based Performance Tour Specialists Incantato Tours & Concert Management in cooperation with the Roman Associazione Nova Amadeus and under patronage of the Italian Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali – Dipartimento dello Spettacolo. Artistic Director is Stefano Sovrani who founded the Nova Amadeus Orchestra in 1982 and has since worked with many major artists.
While the percussionists were professional Italian musicians and members of the Nova Amadeus Orchestra, the soloists and pianists come from the United States - like the choristers. The singers executed Carmina beautifully. The three soloists, Tenor Andrew Crane, Baritone Tyler Alessio and Soprano Ashley Seaton excelled. Alessio and Seaton are outstanding voice majors at California State University Long Beach and the two Italian concerts were their international premieres as soloists in a major production. Christopher Luthi and Frank Zachary were the pianists for the Rome concert.

New Incantato Concert videos online

Check out www.youtube.com/incantatotours for recordings from the Incantato 2008 Choral Festival in Italy.

Musical Appetizer from the Incantato Festival Choir: O Fortuna

"The sexiest Carmina Burana ever heard" - Enchanting Incantato Festival Concert on the Amalfi Coast in Maiori on Friday, June 27 at 9 pm

Event:
Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" in concert
Date:
June 27, Anfiteatro (Marina di Maiori) at 9 pm

"We are singing the sexiest Carmina Burana the Amalfi Coast has ever heard", that's conductor Jonathan Talberg's promise for the upcoming concert event on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 9.00 pm at the Anfiteatro in Maiori (Marina). The entrance is free for the 2008 Incantato Festival opening.
Under the direction of Dr. Talberg, a masterly US-American choir director and renowned university professor, 120 singers from four choirs are performing Carl Orff's masterpiece in full length with soloists, mixed choir, two pianos and symphomic orchestra: The California State University Chamber Choir supported by singers from the CSULB University Choir from Long Beach, The California State University San Bernadino Chamber Singers and The Carolina International Chorale from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Carmina Burana is an extraordinary and moving cantata based on 24 poems from the 13th century that were discovered in a Bavarian monastery. The poems cover a wide range of secular topics as familiar to us today as they undoubtedly were in the 13th century: the transient nature of wealth, the fickleness of fortune, the joy over the return of Spring, and the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling and sex. The music has a here-and-now quality that captures the attention of modern audiences, it is surging, powerful and sometimes very erotic. "Perfect for a hot summer night on the amazing Amalfi Coast", exclaims Talberg. Performing Carmina in Italy is a dream come true for the conductor and singers alike. The Maiori Anfiteatro is an ideal setting for this essential artistic experience. When visiting the Amalfi Coast for the very first time last summer, the maestro was particularly moved by the hospitality of the locals and great appreciation for fine arts. "When asked if we would consider performing Carmina in Maiori, there could only be one answer: YES", Talberg recalls. The local commitment and support, both morally and financially, substantiallly helped to realize the project titled "Incantato Festival 2008". The highlight performance of Carmina Burana in Maiori is presented by the New York based Performance Tour Specialists Incantato Tours & Concert Management in cooperation with the Azienda di Soggiorno e Turismo di Maiori and under the patronage of the Regione di Campania. The singers' journey will also be documented by a videographer that was especially appointed to come along.
While the symphonic orchestra is comprised of professional musicians from the Republic of Udmurtia which makes Carmina in Maiori a truly international event, the soloists and pianists come from the United States - like the choristers. Tenor Andrew Crane has already made himself a name for his inspired interpretation of the role. Baritone Tyler Alessio and Soprano Ashley Seaton are outstanding voice majors at California State University Long Beach and the concerts will be their international premiere as soloists in a major production. Christopher Luthi and Joshua Tuburan are the pianists.

Magnificent start for Carmina Burana Incantato Festival on the Amalfi Coast

Carmina Burana on the Amalfi Coast