Open to the World. VOCES8 & Bel Canto Choir Vilnius. Together.

An exceptional evening in Vilnius! For the first time in Lithuania – Bel Canto Choir Vilnius will perform together with the internationally renowned British vocal ensemble VOCES8!

Bel Canto Choir Vilnius and VOCES8, one of the world’s most popular vocal ensembles, present the third concert of the Open to the World series. On two successive nights – at 7 PM on September 29 & September 30, 2018 – the two ensembles will give an exceptional concerts at the intimate St. Catherine’s Church in Vilnius which any lover of sensitive and aesthetic vocal music is sure to appreciate.

VOCES8 is an internationally renowned octet from the United Kingdom and a winner of countless prestigious awards. It is known for its exceptionally delicate, bright, and elegant sound. Its repertoire effortlessly combines music of various styles and periods – from Renaissance polyphony to its own arrangements of jazz and pop songs.

Signed to the legendary Decca Classics record label, VOCES8 regularly performs in the world’s most famous concert venues, such as Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hall Manchester, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Cité de la Musique Paris, Vienna Konzerthaus, Tokyo Opera City, National Centre for the Performing Arts Beijing and others.

In 2018, the ensemble will have three tours in the United States, debut performances in Singapore and Mexico, as well as extensive tours of European countries.

VOCES8 will be performing in Lithuania for the first time, having been invited by Bel Canto Choir Vilnius.

Sing Joyfully in Vilnius

In Vilnus, VOCES8 will present their Sing Joyfully programme, which perfectly illustrates the ensemble’s love for different styles of music, their exceptional vocal harmony, musicality, and elegance on the stage. Music lovers will have the opportunity to hear Renaissance, jazz, and popular music performed by the delicate and angelic voices of the VOCES8 singers.

Bel Canto Choir Vilnius will be performing pieces by contemporary composers Eric Whitacre, Malcolm Dalglish, Stephen Paulus, and others. The evening’s finale will be made up of two pieces specially arranged by Lithuanian composer Vaclovas Augustinas for Bel Canto Choir Vilnius and VOCES8 – Stokitės Ponai and Pater Noster.

A passion for musical education

VOCES8 is well known for its educational work. The vocal ensemble is the lead ensemble of the VCM Foundation, a musical education charity. VCM works with singers, choirs, music teachers and conductors; takes part in research; and organizes musical training, leadership and management courses.

VOCES8 founder Paul Smith has created the innovative VOCES8 Method, which encourages musical expression, creativity and improves students’ academic learning processes in other subjects. The VOCES8 Method has been translated into four different languages and is applied in many schools in Western Europe.

In addition, the work of VCM includes collaborations with leading global performing arts centers such as Bozar Brussels, the Paris Philharmonie, Vienna Konzerthaus and Heidelberg Frühling.

During their stay, the members of VOCES8 will also hold a masterclass for the singers of Bel Canto Choir Vilnius.

VOCES8 – artistic director: Barnaby Smith. Bel Canto Choir Vilnius – conductor and artistic director: Dr. Egidijus Kaveckas; second conductor and choirmaster: Milda Zapolskaitė; choirmaster and concert master: Raminta Gocentienė; vocal coach: Liudas Norvaišas.

Producers: Audrius Valatkevičius (Bel Canto Choir Vilnius) and Robin Tyson (VOCES8).

Open to the World

Open to the World is a 5-concert series by Bel Canto Choir Vilnius, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. During the Open to the World Series, Bel Canto performs together with two of the world’s most popular contemporary composers, Eric Whitacre (USA) and Ola Gjeilo (USA/Norway), two of Sweden’s best choirs Svanholm Singers and Sofia Vokalensemble, the elite vocal ensemble VOCES8 (UK), and the fantastic Swiss choir Männerstimmen Basel.

The aim of the project is to present the world’s best to Lithuanian audiences, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, to be, create, innovate, learn and improve. Together.