Nidaros Cathedral Men and Boys Choir in Trondheim first appeared in 1030AD and has a history of 989 years, making it Norway’s oldest choir. It continues a nearly 1000 year old tradition. Since 1927 the choir has toured famous churches and concert halls in Europe, the United States and Asia. On Saturday October 5th the 47 choristers performs for the first time in Taiwan with voices of boy trebles combined with the mature sound of the men’s group, singing the choir´s echo of a millennium including classic choral music, Asia premier repertoire and Dvořák’s Mass in D major with Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra. The choir is lead by Conductor and Artistic Director Maestro Bjørn Moe, and Executive Director Johannes Köpple.
It is also the first time a Norwegian choir will perform in the world´s biggest arts venue, the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), built 2018. The organ with more than 9,000 pipes is the largest organ in Asia It will be played by Magne Draagen, Nidarosdomen’s Director of Music and Organist.
The audience at the Kaohsiung concert on Oct. 5th at Weiwuying Concert Hall (photo) will include two “retired” Norwegians with their Taiwanese wives. More Norwegians do not live in Southern Taiwan at the time being. The Singapore concert on Oct. 8th at Esplanade Concert Hall will be attended by Norwegian Secretary of State Liv Lønnum and Norwegian Ambassador to Singapore Anita Nergaard. The audience may include many Norwegians living in Singapore. The choir had concerts in Singapore also in 2016 and 2017.
The 110 minutes program with 20 mins intermission in Taiwan and in Singapore: Gregorian chant Arr. Henning Sommerro(1952-): Predicasti (commissioned by NGK, world premiere)
Louis Vierne (1870-1937): “Kyrie” from Messe solennelle
Howard Goodall (1958-): The Lord is my Shephard
Carl Nielsen (1865-1931): O Jesus Krist, jeg flyr til deg
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924): Cantique de Jean Racine
Carole Sager & David Foster Arr. Tom Fettke: The Prayer with “Lead Us, Lord”
Pavel Chesnokov (1877–1944): Let my prayer arise before thee, O lord
John Rutter (1945-): Home is a special kind of feeling
Chris Christensen/Kjell Rian Arr. Odd J. Overøye: Nidelven stille og vakker du er
Henning Sommerro (1952-): Te Deum (commissioned by NGK, Asia premiere)
Antonín Dvořák (1840-1904): Mass in D Major
4 soloists: Soprano｜Felicia Teo (Singapore),
Alto｜Désirée Baraula (Norway),
Tenor｜Thomas Ruud (Norway),
Bass｜Magne Fremmerlid (Norway).
Orchestras: Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra (Kaohsiung concert),
Sound Chamber Orchestra (Singapore concert).
Production Team｜Licha Stelaus Productions (Singapore/Taiwan). Executice Producers: Michelle and Richard Chen (Taiwan). Richard Chen is the founder of Chenter Foundation (USA), the sponser of the entire tour. Find out more at www.ChenterFoundation.org
The majestic Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim was built as a Catholic church over a long period of 230 years, from 1070 to 1300 when it was substantially completed. In 1537 the church became Lutheran. It has always had a boys choir that regularly participates in worship services. Bjørn Moe is a former member of the choir. He has over 45 years since 1973 built the choir to today’s high level. For this effort he has received a number of honors, including The King’s Merit Medal in gold. Abroad, the Nidaros Cathedral Men and Boys Choir is widely recognized for its special and pure sound. Conductors of foreign choirs travel to Trondheim to learn from the choir and its conductor Bjørn Moe.
All tickets are sold out, but a couple of tickets for Kaohsiung will be available at Weiwuying on the concert day. More than 80% seats are complimentary tickets to charities and youths in Taiwan and Singapore.
