Feature
The Philippine Madrigal Singers return to New York City
by Leo Paolo Leal for Vocal Area Network
Posted May 10, 2013

Philippine Madrigal SingersThe Philippine Madrigal Singers (www.philippinemadrigalsingers.com) celebrate their 50th anniversary with a three-month Goodwill Concert Tour that started in March with visits to cities in the United States and South America. New York City will be their last stop before they go back home to the Philippines. Most recently they were invited to perform at the 2013 American Choral Directors Association National Conference in Dallas, TX and at the VII America Cantat International Choral Festival in Bogotá, Colombia. The group returns to The Church of St. Ignatius on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:30 PM with a concert featuring works by Janequin, Elberdin, Malachevsky, Lennon, Warren and Filipino composers such as Alcala, Maniano and Pamintuan.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers are one of the world's most acclaimed choirs, having won several choral competitions around the globe. Founded in 1963 by Professor Andrea O. Veneracion, the "Madz," as they are fondly called, are composed of committed and select singers from different parts of the Philippines. The group holds the distinction of being the first choir to win the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice, first in 1997 and later in 2007. In 2011, UNESCO designated the choir as UNESCO Artists for Peace for putting its fame and influence at the service of UNESCO's ideals and efforts to promote cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace. In 2012, the group became the first choir in the world to receive The Brand Laureate Premier Award from the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation, in recognition of its significant contribution to the world of choral music, having produced new compositions and choral settings for Philippine, Asian and international songs.

The ensemble performs a wide variety of styles and forms but their special focus on the madrigal idiom has inspired the group's unique stage arrangement--seated in a semi-circle, without a conductor.

Under the direction of Mark Anthony Carpio, the choir continues to maintain an active outreach and concert tour schedule, performing in remote areas of the Philippines seldom reached by choral artists. With an average of two overseas concert tours a year, the Philippine Madrigal Singers are the country's most active ambassadors of goodwill and perhaps one of the world's most-traveled choirs.

Mark Anthony Carpio graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Music with a degree in piano performance. He joined the Philippine Madrigal Singers as tenor and became the assistant choirmaster in 2000. He was personally chosen by Professor Veneracion to succeed her as choirmaster in 2001. He is currently a faculty member of the UP College of Music's Choral Conducting Department and is also a noted countertenor and accompanist.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at madznyc.bpt.me or at the door. The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola is at 980 Park Avenue (between 83rd and 84th Streets). For inquiries, please e-mail madzusa@gmail.com.


Leo Paolo Leal is a tenor who sings with the New York Choral Artists, Schola Dominicana at St. Catherine's and other groups. He is an alumnus of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
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