Bella Voce (group)
Bella Voce (It., beautiful voice) is a
The group was founded in 1982 by countertenor Richard Childress as His Majestie's Clerkes.[2] In 1990, His Majestie's Clerkes was awarded National Public Radio's Lucien Wulsin Award for best small ensemble.[2] The group was renamed in 2001. The group's performances are usually of early and contemporary European music. Originally performing music of the English Tudor period, the name Bella Voce was chosen as the performances of His Majestie's Clerkes took on broader interests.
Noted guest conductors of the group have included
The group was led for many years by Anne Heider, artistic director, and Tamara Schupman, managing director. Heider is a choral conductor at the Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts, sings alto with the Chicago Sacred Harp singers and researches shape-note singing related to the Midwest.
Schupman is a Choral Assistant for the Northwest Bach Festival, and a member of the Chamber Singers of Chicago.
Chicago Tribune music critic John von Rhein praised the group's "fine musicianship, careful blending of voices, burnished sound and stylistic versatility' as exhibited on their 2006 CD "American A Capella," recorded from concerts in 2004 and 2005.[8]
Following Heider's retirement, Andrew Lewis became the artistic director, starting with the 2005–06 season. Lewis is musical director of the
References
- ^ a b c [1] "Joining in Jamestown celebration," Daily Herald, South Elgin, IL., May 9, 2007. retrieved May 14, 2007
- ^ a b [2] Singers.com
- ^ [3] ASCAP Alice Parker Chorus America Award, 2004
- ^ [4]"Bella Voce to go silent when season ends," Chicago Sun Times, March 7, 2005. retrieved October 27, 2006
- ^ "BELLA VOCE, biography, discography". Archived from the original on 2006-11-01. Retrieved 2006-10-27. Goldberg music magazine: The early music portal. retrieved October 27, 2006
- ^ [5] Wynne Delacoma, "'Ring' cycle a triumph for Lyric," Chicago Sun Times, Dec 18, 2005. retrieved October 27, 2006.
- ^ [6] Archived 2005-12-14 at the Wayback Machine Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation grants, 2002, 2003. retrieved October 27, 2006
- ^ Von Rhein, John, "American A Cappella." Chicago Tribune, January 13, 2006.
- ^ [7] Elgin Choral Union
- ^ [8] Lutheran Choir of Chicago
- ^ [9] Archived 2006-11-12 at the Wayback Machine Immanuel Lutheran Church, Evanston, IL.
- ^ [10] John von Rhein, Tribune music critic, "Choral groups announce schedules," Chicago Tribune, August 24, 2006. retrieved October 27, 2006
- ^ Andries, Dorothy "Sounds a lot like Christmas." Chicago Sun Times, December 4, 2006.
- ^ [11] Von Rhein, John, "Double helping of choral delight; Bella Voce rates notch above Chicago a cappella in weekend performances." Chicago Tribune, April 17, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007