Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix Potencée, also known as the Little Singers of the Cross, is a French choir that specializes in classical music. The choir was founded in 1907 by Father Paul Bellot, a Benedictine monk who was also a composer and organist. Father Bellot wanted to create a choir of boys who would sing Gregorian chant and other sacred music in the liturgy of the Catholic Church. The choir started with just a few boys from the Abbey of Sainte-Anne de Kergonan in Brittany, France. However, it quickly grew in popularity and began to attract boys from all over France. The choir's reputation for excellence in singing and performance soon spread beyond France, and they began to receive invitations to perform in other countries. One of the highlights of the choir's early years was their performance at the 1910 World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium. The choir's performance was so well-received that they were invited to perform at the Vatican for Pope Pius X. This was a great honor for the choir, and it helped to establish their reputation as one of the best choirs in Europe. Over the years, the choir has continued to perform at many prestigious venues and events. They have performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. They have also performed for many heads of state, including Queen Elizabeth II of England and President François Mitterrand of France. In addition to their performances, the choir has also recorded many albums of classical music. Their recordings have won numerous awards, including the Grand Prix du Disque and the Diapason d'Or. The choir's recordings have also been used in many films and television shows, including the popular British television series Downton Abbey. One of the most significant events in the choir's history was the fire that destroyed the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019. The choir had been scheduled to perform at the cathedral just a few days after the fire, but the performance had to be canceled due to the damage. However, the choir did perform a special concert in honor of the cathedral at the nearby Saint-Sulpice Church. Today, the choir is still going strong, with over 100 boys between the ages of 8 and 18. The choir is based in the Abbey of Sainte-Anne de Kergonan, where the boys live and study. The choir's repertoire includes Gregorian chant, sacred music, and classical music from the Renaissance to the present day. The choir is led by a team of professional musicians, including a conductor, a vocal coach, and an organist. The boys receive a rigorous musical education, including training in music theory, sight-reading, and vocal technique. They also receive a traditional Catholic education, including classes in Latin, theology, and philosophy. The choir's performances are known for their beauty, precision, and emotional depth. The boys' voices blend together in perfect harmony, creating a sound that is both powerful and ethereal. The choir's performances are often accompanied by organ music, which adds to the richness and complexity of the sound. In conclusion, Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix Potencée is a world-renowned choir that has been delighting audiences with their beautiful music for over a century. The choir's dedication to excellence in singing and performance has earned them many accolades and awards over the years.

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