Canto Coro in December

By Bronwen Beechey

MELBOURNE--Canto Coro, which last year performed the acclaimed Little City to audiences around Australia, is performing a new program of choral works this month.

The 50-voice mixed choir was formed five years ago, originating in Melbourne's Greek and Hispanic communities. It is committed to works with a strong political message.

Canto Coro's performances have included Pablo Neruda's Canto General, Mikis Theodorakis' Axion Esti, Cantata Santa Maria de Iquique by Chilean composer Luis Advis, and Sono Forte and Little City by Melbourne composer and performer Irine Vela.

The new program features Canto Para Una Semilla (Song For a Seed), written by Advis for the famous Chilean group Inti Illimani. It tells the story of the life of Violeta Parra, one of the leading lights of the Latin American New Song Movement, and was written and first performed shortly after her suicide. This Melbourne premiere performance features a special guest soloist, Justo Dias, a founding member of the Chilean/Australian band Papalote.

Also included is Vela's new work, Romance de la Guardia Civil Española (Ballad of the Spanish Civil Guard), based on Federico Garcia Lorca's famous poem of the same name.

Completing the program is Mia Foni (One Voice) composed by long-time choir member and soloist Achilles Yiangoulli.

Canto Coro's performances are a powerful experience, with the irresistible melodies and rhythms of Greece and Latin America combining with the passionate singing of the choir members to create an atmosphere that caused even the Age newspaper to state that it “stirs one to revolution”. Not to be missed.

Canto Coro will be performing on December 13 and 14 at the Brunswick Town Hall at 8 pm. Tickets are $20/$12. Phone (03) 9889 4776.

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