Country

:

United States of America

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Crossover

 

 

Vocal

 

Chanticleer is a Grammy Award-winning classical music ensemble that was founded in 1978 in San Francisco, California. The group is known for its unique blend of male voices and its diverse repertoire, which includes everything from medieval chant to contemporary works. The ensemble was founded by tenor Louis Botto, who had previously been a member of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Botto wanted to create a professional male choir that would focus on the performance of Renaissance and Baroque music. He recruited a group of singers from the San Francisco Bay Area, and Chanticleer was born. The original members of Chanticleer included Louis Botto, Joseph Jennings, Kevin Baum, Michael Bresnahan, Ted Pickell, and Tom Hart. Over the years, the ensemble has had many different members, but it has always maintained its commitment to excellence in vocal performance. One of the highlights of Chanticleer's early career was its performance at the Spoleto Festival in Italy in 1980. The group's performance was so well-received that it was invited back to the festival the following year. This led to more international performances, including tours of Europe, Asia, and South America. In 1984, Chanticleer released its first recording, a collection of Christmas music called "Sing We Christmas." The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish the ensemble as one of the premier vocal groups in the world. Over the years, Chanticleer has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. The group has also collaborated with a wide range of artists, including jazz pianist Chick Corea, singer-songwriter Joan Baez, and composer John Adams. One of Chanticleer's most notable collaborations was with the composer and conductor John Tavener. In 1999, the group premiered Tavener's "Lamentations and Praises," a work that was written specifically for Chanticleer. The piece was a critical success, and it helped to cement Chanticleer's reputation as a leading interpreter of contemporary classical music. In addition to its performances and recordings, Chanticleer has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors. The group has won five Grammy Awards, including Best Small Ensemble Performance in 2000 and 2003. Chanticleer has also been awarded the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America, and the Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal. Today, Chanticleer continues to perform and record, and the ensemble remains committed to its mission of bringing the beauty of choral music to audiences around the world. With its unique blend of voices and its diverse repertoire, Chanticleer is truly one of the most remarkable classical music ensembles of our time.

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