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  • WDCH
  • CHANTICLEER CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS AT WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
  • Dec. 19, 2006
  • Renowned All-Male "Orchestra of Voices" Performs Program of Carols, Sacred Works And Spirituals

    TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, AT 8 PM

    Chanticleer, the Grammy-winning twelve-member "orchestra of voices," celebrates Christmas with an elegant and distinctive blend of traditional carols, medieval and Renaissance sacred works, and moving spirituals, on Tuesday, December 19, at 8 p.m., at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The program is part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association's annual Deck the Hall series of holiday presentations.

    Based in San Francisco, Chanticleer has developed a remarkable reputation for vivid interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz and from gospel to venturesome new music, with a seamless blend of male voices ranging from countertenor to bass. Led by Music Director Joseph Jennings, Chanticleer is comprised of Eric S. Brenner, Dylan Hostetter and Michael McNeil, sopranos; Alan Reinhardt, William Sauerland and Adam Ward, altos; Brian Hinman, Matthew D. Oltman and Todd Wedge, tenors; and Eric Alatorre, Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor and Jace R. Wittig, baritone & bass.

    The program includes secular and sacred songs and carols from the Renaissance through the more recent centuries, including arrangements of popular favorites such "In dulci jubilo," "Ding Dong! Merrily on High," "In the Bleak Mid-Winter," and other songs and medleys.

    Deck the Hall, presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, is a series of festive performances throughout the month of December (including two concerts on New Year's Eve) featuring an array of exceptional artists offering seasonal music. Other Deck the Hall presentations include Christmas with the Canadian Brass on Wednesday, December 6, 8 p.m.; the Holiday Organ Spectacular on Wednesday, December 13, 8 p.m.; 'Twas the Week Before Christmas, the annual family concert, on Friday, December 15, 8 p.m., Saturday, December 16, 2, p.m., and Sunday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.; The Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukkah on Thursday, December 21, 8 p.m.; Escovedo Family's Latin Holiday Celebration on Friday, December 22, 8 p.m.; Holiday Sing-Along on Saturday, December 23, 2 p.m.; The Blind Boys of Alabama on Saturday, December 23, 8 p.m.; and two New Year's Eve performances by Lyle Lovett at 7 and 10:30 p.m.

    CHANTICLEER, named for the "clear-singing" rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, was founded in 1978 by tenor Louis Botto, who sang with the group until 1989 and served as artistic director until his death in 1997. Music Director Joseph Jennings joined the ensemble as a countertenor in 1983 and shortly thereafter assumed his current title. A prolific composer and arranger, Jennings has provided the group with some of its most popular repertoire, most notably spirituals, gospel music, and jazz standards. Chanticleer's long-standing commitment to developing the choral repertoire has led the group to commission works from an ever-growing list of important composers. Past commissions include works by Mark Adamo, Chen Yi, Régis Campo, David Conte, Brent Michael Davids, Anthony Davis, Guido López-Gavilán, William Hawley, Jake Heggie, Jackson Hill, Jeeyoung Kim, Tania León, Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, John Musto, Bernard Rands, Steven Sametz, Carlos Sanchez-Guttierez, Paul Schoenfield, Steven Stucky, John Tavener and Augusta Read Thomas. Since 1994, Chanticleer has recorded exclusively for Warner Classics, making the group's recordings available worldwide and garnering numerous Grammy awards. Chanticleer's three Christmas recordings are especially popular, as is the DVD of the 2002 Christmas concert at the Metropolitan Museum of New York, which is broadcast nationally on public television. With the help of individual contributions and foundation and corporate support, the group brings the gift of singing to young people by conducting artist-in-the-schools residencies and Chanticleer Youth Choral Festivals. In addition to extensive Bay Area educational activities, the ensemble conducts master classes while on tour.

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places anywhere to experience music - Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association's involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational programs, community concerts and children's programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2006, AT 8 PM

    WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

    Deck the Hall

    A CHANTICLEER CHRISTMAS

    CHANTICLEER

    Tickets ($23 - $135) are on sale now online at LAPhil.com, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. When available, choral bench seats ($15) will be released for sale to selected Philharmonic, Colburn Celebrity Recital, and Baroque Variations performances beginning at noon on the Tuesday of the second week prior to the concert. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For all information, please call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Adam Crane, 213.972.3422; Rachelle Roe, 213.972.7310; Laura Stegman, 310.470.6321; Photos: 213.972.3034