The Philippines stands tall and proud as Kammerchor Manila emerges victorious at this year’s Choir of the World competition, taking home the esteemed Pavarotti Trophy. The renowned choral group has etched its name in the annals of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, outshining its global counterparts and winning one of the most coveted choral accolades worldwide.
The prestigious competition, held on July 8, 2023, in Llangollen, United Kingdom, witnessed finalists from various corners of the globe vying for the cherished Choir of the World title. Among the luminous lineup were the Cantilon Chamber Choir from Canada, the Delaware Choral Scholars from the USA, and Le Voci choir from Hereford, England.
However, it was Kammerchor Manila’s “impeccable talent and prestige” that propelled them to the summit, garnering the ultimate recognition and beating the runners-up, as per the feature report by the Nation CYMRU news service in Wales.
Judging panel member Robert Guy, co-founder and conductor of the NEW Sinfonia orchestra hailed Kammerchor Manila as the “stand-out” performer under the guidance of Conductor Anthony Villanueva. This hard-fought global choral crown competition is named in honor of the legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti, a fact that adds a layer of prestige to Kammerchor Manila’s victory.
Llangollen Eisteddfod’s Executive Producer, Camilla King, further vouched for Kammerchor Manila’s merit, stating they were “worthy winners of the Blue Riband prize.” Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic and the thunderous rain that evening, she declared it the “most exciting Choir of the World that Llangollen has seen for many years.”
#Filipinopride on the world stage! The Philippines' @KammerchorMNL is the 2023 Choir of World winner, besting choral groups from Canada, USA, and England in the finals of the @llangollen_Eist https://t.co/075KkrG1Mw
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) July 14, 2023
Founded in 1992, Kammerchor Manila hails from Quezon City and is recognized as one of the premier church choirs in the Philippines. The non-profit organization continues to build upon its legacy of success at international choral competitions. Before clinching the Pavarotti Trophy, the choir was already a celebrated name, having won the Grand Prix at the Queen of the Adriatic Sea International Choral Festival in Italy in 2021.
Guided by Anthony G. Villanueva, Kammerchor Manila continues to deliver performances that span a diverse range of musical genres, from madrigals to contemporary music and from sacred to pop music. This versatility, coupled with their commitment to excellence in music, friendship, and service to God, has inspired many other choirs and elevated the level of choral music.
To mark this monumental achievement, members of the choir took to their Facebook page to share the joyous news. This triumphant moment is a testament to the abundant talent and musical prowess of Filipinos, and a source of immense national pride. Kammerchor Manila will continue to uplift spirits, foster unity through music, and uphold the Filipino legacy on the global stage.
The Choir of the World competition in Wales is Kammerchor Manila’s first competition in 8 stops for its 2023 UK-Europe Tour titled “Resurgence”. The Filipino choral group has two other competitions on its itinerary: in Vienna, Austria from July 15-19 and in Torrevieja, Spain from July 25-31. The choir’s upcoming performances include Germany, Italy, and Barcelona. The tour began in The Netherlands in early July, while a London performance immediately followed its Choir of the World win.
Check out the Kammerchor Manila UK-Europe Tour schedule here:
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Kammerchor Manila for raising the Filipino flag over Wales by winning the Pavarotti Trophy as the 2023 Choir of the World winner!
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