The voice of angels

MANILA, Philippines - It’s not just fast cars, high stakes and the lifestyle of the rich and famous that define the Principality of Monaco. This month, Manila audiences will get to discover another, more sublime side when The Little Singers of Monaco come to town for a series of performances.

Consul General of Monaco Fortune Ledesma believes music lovers will be enthralled by the angelic voices of this choir that is the pride of Monaco, entrusted by the late Prince Rainier III to “spread to all countries the music of the Principality.” In fulfillment of this goal, the choir has performed in 35 countries, including a Christmas concert at the Vatican in 1997 to celebrate the 700th year of the Grimaldi dynasty.

In Manila, the choir will perform at the Far Eastern University (July 9 at 4:30 pm), The Skydome at SM North Edsa (July 12 at 5 pm), Greenbelt 5 in Makati (July 13 at 6 pm) and SM Mall of Asia (July 14 at 5 pm). All concerts are free to the public because, Ledesma says, “they want to share their music with the Filipinos.”

The group was formed back in the 18th century during the reign of Prince Antoine I to sing the liturgies at the Palatine Chapel. In 1974, the children’s choir was christened The Little Singers of Monaco by Prince Rainier, who called them his “little singing ambassadors” and gave them a feature badge with his coat of arms that they wear over their hearts during their concerts.

Children from the age of nine may join the choir after passing rigorous examinations, and their parents must commit to their children’s attendance at rehearsals, seminars and concerts, including tours. Once accepted, the children undergo training in choir work in the hills behind Nice, France, and then again in Salzbourg, Austria, after which they perform their first concert.

The Little Singers, now under the patronage of Prince Albert II and the musical direction of Pierre Debat, have performed with the Monte Carlo Opera and the Monte Carlo Philharmonic in operas by Puccini, Bizet, Tchaikovsky and others. They have also performed at the United Nations in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, the Opera of Shanghai, and many others.

For more information on their Manila performances, contact 0918-9468252 (Martin) or 0917-8198005 (May).