Weimar Vocal Ensemble in Spain
The "ensemble:" travels to Valencia and Sueca for workshops and concerts
For rehearsals, workshops and concerts a vocal ensemble of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar travels to Spain. The "ensemble:" (pronounced: ensemble colon) is using the lecture-free period to get new impulses and inspiration in the Spanish educational and cultural system from March 22 to 27 - and to present its own skills on site. The concert and advanced training trip is supervised by choral conducting professor Kerstin Behnke.
To begin with, the Weimar students will meet their Spanish fellow students at the "Joaquín Rodrigo" Academy of Music in Valencia. After a day of joint rehearsals with workshops and conducting lessons, they will give their first concert there in the evening of March 23.
One day later, the "ensemble:" will move to the neighboring conservatory in Valencia. "There are many young, very good singers there with whom we will work," explains Prof. Kerstin Behnke.
On March 25, the Weimar Vocal Ensemble will travel to the village of Sueca for a specially organized choir meeting with choirs from the rural region, which will also be crowned by a joint concert.
This will be followed by rehearsals and a performance in the concert church "Iglesia San Nicolas" in Valencia, which is known for its excellent acoustics. The program includes a wide range of works from Claudia Monteverdi and Heinrich Schütz to Peters Vasks and Arvo Pärt. Finally, on March 27, the "ensemble:" will take part in rehearsals of the opera choir of the Valencia Opera.
"This gives us a comprehensive insight into the choral scene in Valencia, from the professional opera choir to the training ensembles at the conservatory and the conservatory of music to the amateur choirs from the region," says choral conducting professor Kerstin Behnke.
"In addition to the many different impressions, such a trip is a very good opportunity for the ensemble to continue to grow together, to advance musically through the intensive rehearsals and to professionalize themselves through concerts in front of foreign audiences."
[9 March 2022]