UBC University Singers and their Incantato Barcelona adventure: Sunday 24th

A Sunday in Barcelona can be fulfilled in many different ways, and there is so many options that it can be confusing.. unless you are in great hands that show you, assist you and help you like Rosalía, our Incantato Tour Manager, who loves the UBC University Singers.

Picasso design at the Cathedral Square, Barcelona Incantato

Sunday morning started with a walking tour through the Gothic quarter of Barcelona: the imposing Cathedral and its cloister, San Jaume square and the Generalitat Palace, the medieval royal castle and of course the taste and uniqueness of a wonderfully preserved middle age quarter, with roman foundations, that host a variety of handicrafts, art, antiques, chocolates and pastry shops. All this to end up at Santa María del Pi Church, a 13th century jewel of the gothic arquitecture, with a wonderful rosewindow and very good acoustic, where UBC University Singers sang in the Main Holy Mass for an impressed public.

Santa María del Pi Church, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona

After this, the private motorcoach took the UBC Singers to the centrally located H10 Casanova Hotel, where they could get in normal clothes and get ready for many other options.

UBC University Singers: a wonderful smile!

After having visited already Montjuic, Park Güell, Borne and Gothic districts, Ramblas, Catalunya square, Passeig de Gracia, Sagrada Familia.. with local guide and Incantato Team, everyone was ready for the last afternoon in Barcelona.
Most of the group made it to the Picasso Museum, where they got free entrance. Others went for some food in local nice tapas spots, many went to the Barceloneta beach, or just did some good shopping at Ramblas and Borne districts.

The end of the day was happy and long: a dinner in the very famous "Segons Mercat", were Incantato has provided a wonderful tapas experience with local fresh products in a wide variety of warm tapas. There, the UBC University Singers, all looking great and dressed up, had a wonderful experience.

It was so moving also for Incantato Tour Manager Rosalía and their driver, to whom they performed some songs. There, the girls from UBC University Singers enyojed a "surprise" medley that the male section of the choir performed during dinner, which was prepared and kept in secret till the last moment.

The last day in Barcelona was another non-stop day, full of good moments, music and wonderful memories that will last forever.

For more pictures and updates, you can also check in our facebook by Incantato

UBC University Singers will make their way home tomorrow, and we will be missing them!

UBC University Singers concert in Barcelona: "Most moving performance ever in this venue"

"This is the most moving concert I have ever seen in the Paranimf"

This are the words of Mrs. Matias and Mrs. Pi i Noya, both belonging to the Protocols and Cultural Activities Department of the University of  Barcelona.

The University of Barcelona count among the oldest in Europe. Dating back to the 13th century, the University in reknown as a cultural hotspot in Barcelona, with a great selection of concerts and events.

Our concert yesterday took place in the Paranimf, the most important hall in the 18th century building, and also the most beautiful one.

The audience was very impressed and moved, and applauded enthusiastically and long time song after song, as the UBC University Singers and Dr. Graeme Langager reached a degree of emotion and musical expression that touched everybody's heart.

The end of the concert brought many tears to the audience as well as to the singers, and the UBC University Singers came down to greet the people in the banches, after a long long applause.

As we are having so many activities this morning, this report will continue in the next hours, as well as the news abou the wonderful dinner we had after. 

For pictures check in few hours these blog, or go now to our facebook!

From snowy Barcelona

Incantato and UBC University Singers

Full house in UBC University Singers and Orfeón Universitario de Valencia joint concert

Incantato proudly presented yesterday UBC University SIngers and Orfeón Universitario de Valencia Joint concert, at 8 pm in the beautiful San Esteban Church Auditorium, belonging to the Professional Conservatory of Valencia complex.

The audience reached 180 people,  over the full house seats capacity (150 seats), to enjoy and applaud the performance of the artists.

The UBC University Singers started with their 35 minutes concert, in which they reached a great quality, even after these days of travelling and fun.

After the UBC, the Orfeón Universitario de Valencia performed some works by Piazolla, with lyrics written by the Argentinian famour writer J.L. Borges.

The great finale was really warm, with both choirs together on stage, to perform two works they have prepared during the exchange: Fair in face, by the famous Canadian composer Willan, and Jacinto Chiclana, another Piazolla work.

At the end of the concert, the singers and members of the Orfeón Universitario de Valencia presented an orange scarf to Director Graeme Langager, as a sign of gratitude, as this is the very “distinctive” object they use in their performances and tours.  Maestro Langager gave a present to the Director of the Orfeón, Alvaro Bañó, as well.

After the concert the UBC University Singers were taken to a cocktail, in which Incantato gave some presents to the Orfeón and the Conservatorio of Valencia, as a remembering from this wonderful Exchange and Concert experience.

Incantato presents UBC University Singers in Valencia: Joint concert with the Orfeón Universitario de Valencia, Thursday 21 Feb, at 8pm

After a full-room success in Toledo, the UBC University Singers will be presenting their second concert in the Performance Tour to Spain in the very new Auditorium of the Conservatory of Valencia, on Thursday, Feb.21, at 8pm.

This will be a wonderful finale to the 2-days Exchange Program that the UBC University Singers and the Orfeón Universitario de Valencia are celebrating, including visits to the historical sites, Welcome Reception by the Conservatory, Official Reception at the University Vice-rectorate, Vocal Masterclass and rehearsal.

The joint concert program includes a wonderful selection of pieces by the UBC University Singers: Bach, Pärt, Lauridsen, Estévez, Guerrero and Hogan. The Orfeón Universitario de Valencia will perform 4 works by Piazolla and one by Haendel. And  they will close this very special concert together, with two wonderful pieces: Fair in face, (Willan) and Jacinto Chiclana (Piazolla).

The Orfeón Universitario de Valencia is very famous in Spain and internationally. It started on 1947, and has been awarded with the 1st price in all the editions of the University Choirs Contest in Spain, as well as in the International University Choirs Contest more than 10 times. They have toured over 15 different countries, and has received 5 different national honours for their labour in the culture and music.

References:
Orfeón Universitario de Valencia
The concert in the choral and choirs news in Valencia
The concert in the official page of the Valencia State Department
The concert event in the Orfeón facebook

The UBC University Singers present their first concert in the Transito Synagogue in Toledo

After being the featured guest choir for the morning Mass in the Toledo Cathedral, a Tapas lunch and a guided city tour, this eventful Tuesday culminated in the UBC University Singers' first concert of their 2013 performance tour through Spain. 
The venue for this performance was the Sefardi Museum in the Transito Synagogue in Toledo. The Main Praying Hall is very famous for the cultural events and performances, as the Toledo piano festival among others.

The concert has been on the radio and cultural newspapers, as well as on the local news, and it was promoted with a brief interview in the very popular Cope radio (3rd in audience ranking in Spain)

The concert was presented to an audience of 200 people, over the full capacity of the venue (180 seats), with some 20 people who enjoyed the concert standing. The concert lasted beautiful 90 minutes.

The audience was delighted with UBC University Singers, and there was a warm and welcoming atmosphere to which the performance of the Sephardic music group Fayna just could add more joy. This performance was a special gift by Incantato to both the Sefardí Museum and the UBC University Choir, as Sephardic music is a very unique cultural heritage that has been preserved during 15 centuries through the world by the Spanish Jewish communities.
The trio Fayna performed 3 different pieces accompanied with traditional instruments, with Angela Moreno (singer), Alexander Pérez (lavta y yayli tanbur) and Natalia Martín (lyre and Spanish tambourine).

Enhancing this special emphasis on Jewish heritage and community, and as a present to the director of the Synagogue, Dr. Graeme Langager presented four choral pieces by famous Jewish Canadian composer Sid Rabinovich. 

The concert concluded with an encore piece, as well as members of the audience standing up for a performance beautifully done. 
For more pictures from the UBC University Singers tour, be sure to check out the Incantato Concert Tours facebook page. 

UBC University Singers have arrived in Valencia

Incantato Snapshot: Prime choral ensemble from University of British Columbia at Toledo Synagogue

UBC University Singers as the featured guest choir for Mass in the Toledo Cathedral

As part of their 2013 Spain performance tour with Incantato Concert Tours, the UBC University Singers were the featured guest choir during the morning Mass at the Toledo Cathedral on Tuesday, February 19.
Under the direction of Dr. Graeme Langager, they performed three songs during the Mass and one additional one in the choir loft of the main cathedral. Visitors and locals alike stopped by while visiting either the Cathedral or Mass and listened in on a wonderful performance. Many compliments were offered to Dr. Langager and the University of British Columbia University Singers, including a thank you for the beautiful performance from the priest. Others also remarked on a performance well done and that it was a shame the choir could not return for Sunday Mass. 
Here some pictures:

Incantato presents UBC University Singers at Toledo Synagogue on Tuesday February 19

The UBC University Singers under the direction of Dr. Graeme Langager, will present the first concert of their 2013 Incantato Performance Tour to Spain at the magnificent Sinagogue del Transito in Toledo on Tuesday, February 19, at 7:30 P.M.

The concert will take place in the Main Praying Room, the most exquisite construction in this unique temple, built in the 14th century and is decorated all over ceilings and walls with Mudejar elements and beautiful geometric motifs, flowers and inscriptions in Arabic and Hebrew. Sinagoga del Tránsito is the popular name given to the Synagogue of Samuel ha-Leví, is one of the most important examples of Hispano-Jewish art.

The building was part of a sumptuous palace built in the 15th century and it was erected in the days when the Jewish community had an enviable position in the society of the era, with privileged posts in the Administration and Tax Collection Authorities.King Don Pedro even openly protected the Jews, and synagogues saw their heyday under his reign (1350-1369), as they were protected even when a Papal Bulla had banned the erection of new Hebrew temples, and only allowed the refurbishment of those already constructed. 

When King Don Pedro built it, he defied all the laws about synagogues being smaller and lower than churches.It features Nasris-style polychrome stucco-work, Hebrew inscriptions of the names of God, multifoil arches and Mudéjar panelled ceiling.In the 16th century it became a church of Saint Benito. Later at the 17th century the name changed into Church of the Nuestra Senora del Transito. The name derives from the painting: Transit of Virgin. The synagogue was also used as military headquarters during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1877 the building became a national monument. The transformation of the building into the Sephardi Museum, as it is now officially called, started around 1910.

Nowadays the Sinagoga del Tránsito hosts many important musical events, as the very famous concerts of Sephardic music and many famous classical artists.

Coro UBC University Singers - From Today's Toledo City News

Lugar: Toledo, Museo Sefardí
Fecha: martes, 19 de febrero de 2013

Coro UBC UNIVERSITY SINGERS
Gira España 2013
SONGS OF JOY
Un recorrido global por la música coral
De: Vancouver, Canadá
Director: Dr. Graeme Langager

El Coro UBC University Singers es el conjunto coral primero del Conservatorio Superior de la
Universidad de British Columbia, en Vancouver, Canadá.

Este coro, conformado por 40 voces, es muy conocido en la escena coral norteamericana, habiendo
logrado entre otros, los prestigiosos premios del CBC National Choral Competition y el BBC
International Choral Competition. Ha dado conciertos en Canadá, Estados Unidos y Europa,
incluyendo conciertos en la Basílica de San Pedro (Roma), Stefansdom, (Viena) Notre-Dame
(París), San Nicolás (Praga) y San Esteban (Budapest)..

Su repertorio recoge una amplia variedad de música para Coro de Cámara, abarcando desde el
Renacimiento hasta la música contemporánea, e incluye obras maestras para coro y orquesta.
En esta Gira, el UBC University Singers Choir interpretará obras de América del Norte y del Sur,
Europa y Asia, abarcando desde el renacimiento hasta el repertorio contemporáneo. Cabe destacar
la inclusión de 4 obras del patrimonio musical español.

Su Director, el Dr. Graeme Langager
El Dr. Graeme Langager es el Director de Actividades Corales del Conservatorio Superior de
Música de la Universidad de British Columbia desde 2009. Anteriormente desempeñó el mismo
cargo en la Universidad de Arkansas, y en el Cuesta College, en Califonia.

Nativo de Alberta, recibió su Doctorado en Música y Dirección de Coros por el Conservatorio
Superior y la Universidad de Cincinnati, y su Master en Dirección de Coros por la Universidad de
California. Estudió Dirección de coros con Rivers, Coker, BIelefelt y Hafso, y recibió formación
adicional con Helmut Rilling, A. Armstrong, Thomas Davies, John Alexander, y Robert Page.

El Dr. Langager es además Director Artístico del Coro de Cámara Phoenix, coro profesional con
sede en Vancouver, Canadá. Polifacético y activo, es solicitado además como Director Invitado en
distintas formaciones, a las que perfecciona en sus Seminarios como Clinician Conductor.
En su faceta de arreglista y compositor destacan obras como Processional Hallelujah, o Iris
Blessing, que le han creado reconocimiento por su frescor y originalidad.

El Dr. Langager ha formado parte de la Junta de National Collegiate Choral Organization, así como
en las Juntas de Arkansas y California de la ACDA (Asociación de Directores Corales Americana).
Los Coros bajo su dirección han sido invitados a actuar en las prestigiosas conferencias de la
ACDA, MENC, Arkansas All-State, y IAJE. Han realizado giras y actuaciones en los escenarios de
Estados Unidos, Canadá y Europa,

Su actividad docente en California, Ohio, Carolina del Norte y Arkansas, abarca desde nivel
superior hasta Conservatorios Profesionales y Escuelas.
UBC University Singers – Gira España 2013 – Songs of Joy 2

- Martes 19 febrero, Toledo: CONCIERTO CORAL
Museo Sefardí, Sinagoga del Tránsito, 7,30 pm.

Todos los conciertos son de entrada libre y tienen aforo limitado.
Acompañamientos en la celebración de la Misa:
 Martes 19 de febrero: Catedral de Toledo, 10,30 am.

REPERTORIO
Fair in face Willan (Canadá)
Ave Maria Lauridsen (EEUU)
It is well Himno tradicional (EEUU)
I got a key Parker/Shaw (Espiritual americano)
Missa brevis Willan (Canadá)
Mata del anima sola Estévez (Venezuela)
Muie rendera Fonseca (Brasil)
Tota pulchra es Maria Guerrero (España)
Ir me quero la mi madre Robinovitch (español sefardí)
Ave virgo sanctissima Guerrero (España)
Cuando el rey Nimrod Robinovitch (español sefardí)
Singet dem Herrn Bach (Alemania)
Nunc dimittis Pärt (Estonia)
Patkoeknal Bardos (Hungría)
Agnus Dei Gjeilo (Noruega/EEUU)
Kaksipuhendus Tormis (Estonia)
Lady when i behold the roses sprouting Mealor (Reino Unido)
Jubilate Deo Matsushita (Japón)
Kalinda Guillaume (Haití/EEUU)