The XXI edition of the Choral Festival starts this coming Saturday, April 22, and it will be the perfect occasion to start the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ars Nova. It will be in the Church of St. Bartholomew de Xàbia at 20:30 p.m., where one of the key musical events in the town will begin. This year they will have two choral groups that stand out for their quality and professionalism.
On the one hand, Music Unlimited is a choral group that was founded in April 2012 by director Joanna Baldwin. As its name says, "Music without limits", they interpret all kinds of styles: renaissance madrigals, modern music, folk music, etc. Its eclecticism is significant, highlighting, for example, the plurality of nationalities of its members.
On the other hand, Ars Nova will have the pleasure of welcoming Cantollano back. This chamber group was founded in 1992 and since then they have embarked on ambitious repertoires, from a cappella music to collaborating with chamber or symphonic-choral and stage groups: Requiem y Coronation Mass by WA Mozart, Gloria by Vivaldi, Christmas Oratorio by JS Bach, zarzuela, Broadway musicals, etc.
As for the Ars Nova, this time his repertoire will be within the framework of what his teacher, Rubén Penadés, has given the title of sounds of the earth: works from a folkloric perspective, that talk about rituals or that have to do with nature, the passing of the seasons, etc. The works that make up the program are, firstly, Tent by the Norwegian Bodvar D. Moe, and that he wrote in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York, based on an invocation palindrome that is used in Lapland to staunch bleeding, and here by extension to stop the spill of blood. can also be heard three epitaphs by Rodolfo Halffter, in which he reflects how the figure of Don Quixote was very present in the memories that Spanish culture carried in Mexico in exile. Following this thread, the Song of Renaissance by Manuel Palau, means the patriotic feeling, of belonging, in the Valencian culture. And finally, black corner by Xavier Montsalvatge, will focus on songs from the time of the Spanish Colonies.
The group will discover its repertoire on several occasions, which will not only be this festival, but also other pieces that are related to these will be performed next week at the Farewell Concert of the Orfeón de Xàbia and its director Pepe Mayor, which will take place he Friday, April 28 at 21:00 p.m. in the Church of San Bartolomé and they will participate together with the Teuladina Choir and the Xàbia CAM Orchestra. It will be at this concert where Ars Nova will perform Neguán Orbela by Xabier Sarasola, which is based on a poem by Mikel Sarriegi that narrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring, or how bad and negative things will also pass and be overcome again. And they will also interpret the Ave Maria by Josu Elberdin, a piece of great beauty, with long and dense melodic lines, colorful harmony, and which is presented as a tribute to the Virgin Mary in her seed of caring for and educating her son, the Savior of the World.
From the Ars Nova they want to thank all the audience that has accompanied them for 30 years and invites everyone, once again, to one of the most anticipated events, the XXI Ars Nova Choral Festival.
