Washington Post Review

‘A Melancholy Beauty’: Operatic Holocaust story has a happy ending

(Marc Apter) - Soloist Neli Andreeva performs in “A Melancholy Beauty” at the Kennedy Center.

By Joe Banno, Published: June 22

Georgi Andreev’s oratorio “A Melancholy Beauty” relates that rare Holocaust story: one with a happy ending.

It had its world premiere Tuesday at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in a compelling performance by the National Philharmonic and members of seven U.S. and Bulgarian choral ensembles under the baton of Henry H. Leck.

........

In a pre-oratorio program of music performed by the choirs that would later form the large chorus for Andreev’s work, the brief, sweetly devotional “Whosoever Saves a Single Life” (another world premiere, by oratorio soloist Osborne) was beautifully rendered by the fine New York-based ensemble Khorikos.

Banno is a freelance writer.

For the full review, please visit:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-melancholy-beauty-operas-holocaust-story-has-a-happy-ending/2011/06/22/AGh63FgH_story.html

on Jun 25, 2011 Posted by: khorikos | Comment (0)

Tagged in: a cappella

"Encountering an Illusion"

KHORIKOS will be performing the World Premiere of "Encountering an Illusion" by Jan Jirasek and the US Premiere of "Psalm 91" by Augusta Read Thomas on
Friday, September 16th 7:30PM
St. Anthony's Shrine, 154 Sullivan Street @ Houston

Keep your eyes open for a possible venue change - we are hoping to premiere this at the Bohemian National Hall/Czech Center!

on Jun 16, 2011 Posted by: khorikos | Comment (0)

Tagged in: us premiere

KHORIKOS Premieres at the Songs of Life Festival!

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Venue Information

Avery Fisher Hall
10 Lincoln Center Plaza (Columbus Ave at 65th St)

Varna International Presents Songs of Life Festival
Sunday, June 26, 2011 3:00 PM Avery Fisher Hall Songs of Life Festival Sunday, June 26, 2011 3:00 PM Avery Fisher Hall Songs of Life Festival will feature the World Premiere performance of a newly-commissioned oratorio, A Melancholy Beauty, depicting the inspiring story of the rescue of all Bulgaria’s Jews during World War II. A Melancholy Beauty is a major choral-orchestral work with a performing force of 300 superb musicians, consisting of children and adult choirs, Bulgarian female folk vocal ensemble, a full symphony orchestra, authentic Bulgarian folk instruments, soloists and narrators. The oratorio was composed by the award-winning Bulgarian composer, Georgi Andreev, who combines classical choral-orchestral music with traditional rhythms and folk styles that are rarely encountered today! The original lyrics composed by librettist Scott Cairns and contributing author Aryeh Finklestein will be conducted by Maestro Henry H. Leck, founder and artistic director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. The performing choirs include: The Indianapolis Children’s Choir, IN; the Philip Kutev National Folklore Ensemble, Bulgaria; KHORIKOS Choir, NY; and The Victor Valley College Singers and Master Arts Chorale, CA. These choirs will be accompanied by the renowned National Philharmonic as they perform the oratorio in celebration of a poignant historical moment. The Festival will also premiere the motet, Whosoever Saves a Single Life, composed by internationally renowned cantor and composer, Charles David Osborne, for mixed choirs. In addition to the world premiere of A Melancholy Beauty, the participating choirs will each feature an A Cappella program specially selected by the Festival conductors: Henry H. Leck, Jesse Peckham, Thomas Miller, and artistic director Georgi Andreev. Founders, Kalin and Sharon Tchonev, launched Songs of Life, first, as a tribute to the Bulgarian people, which rescued the entire Jewish population from the Nazis. Sharon’s maternal grandparents were among the survivors. Inspired by the heroic acts of the Bulgarian people who risked their lives for their fellow citizens, Kalin and Sharon founded Songs of Life, secondly, to champion the principles of tolerance in the midst of diversity and bravery in the face of prejudice. For more information visit our website: www.songsoflife.org Tel: 803.545.4167

Varna International Presents
Songs of Life Festival

Sunday, June 26, 2011 3:00 PM
Avery Fisher Hall

Songs of Life Festival Sunday, June 26, 2011 3:00 PM Avery Fisher Hall
Songs of Life Festival will feature the World Premiere performance of a newly-commissioned oratorio, A Melancholy Beauty, depicting the inspiring story of the rescue of all Bulgaria’s Jews during World War II. A Melancholy Beauty is a major choral-orchestral work with a performing force of 300 superb musicians, consisting of children and adult choirs, Bulgarian female folk vocal ensemble, a full symphony orchestra, authentic Bulgarian folk instruments, soloists and narrators. The oratorio was composed by the award-winning Bulgarian composer, Georgi Andreev, who combines classical choral-orchestral music with traditional rhythms and folk styles that are rarely encountered today! The original lyrics composed by librettist Scott Cairns and contributing author Aryeh Finklestein will be conducted by Maestro Henry H. Leck, founder and artistic director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir.
The performing choirs include: The Indianapolis Children’s Choir, IN; the Philip Kutev National Folklore Ensemble, Bulgaria; KHORIKOS Choir, NY; and The Victor Valley College Singers and Master Arts Chorale, CA. These choirs will be accompanied by the renowned National Philharmonic as they perform the oratorio in celebration of a poignant historical moment. The Festival will also premiere the motet, Whosoever Saves a Single Life, composed by internationally renowned cantor and composer, Charles David Osborne, for mixed choirs.
In addition to the world premiere of A Melancholy Beauty, the participating choirs will each feature an A Cappella program specially selected by the Festival conductors: Henry H. Leck, Jesse Peckham, Thomas Miller, and artistic director Georgi Andreev. Founders, Kalin and Sharon Tchonev, launched Songs of Life, first, as a tribute to the Bulgarian people, which rescued the entire Jewish population from the Nazis. Sharon’s maternal grandparents were among the survivors. Inspired by the heroic acts of the Bulgarian people who risked their lives for their fellow citizens, Kalin and Sharon founded Songs of Life, secondly, to champion the principles of tolerance in the midst of diversity and bravery in the face of prejudice. For more information visit our website: www.songsoflife.org Tel: 803.545.4167

on Jun 12, 2011 Posted by: khorikos | Comment (0)

Tagged in: Jesse Peckham

The Official Khorikos Blog