Visiting voices ready to rock

EIGHTY talented young vocalists from China and Hong Kong will raise the roof in Hobart tonight, as the Festival of Voices heads towards its choral climax this weekend.

About 50 members of the Hong Kong Children’s Choir arrived in Hobart on Monday and were joined on Wednesday by another 30 members of China’s Hangzhou Aiyue Tianshi (Hangzhou Philharmonic Angel) Choir, with the singers ranging in age from 7-16.

The two choirs got straight down to work, teaming up with Tasmania’s Allegri Ensemble and the Southland Choir from New South Wales for the Gala Showcase Concert on Wednesday night, before turning their attention to their major performance — at tonight’s International Choir Showcase Concert.

Working with guest conductor Chris Burcin, the choirs will present material they prepared during the youth component of the festival’s International Choral Program workshops, including repertoire by prominent Chinese composers.

The International Choir Showcase Concert will be held at Hobart Town Hall from 7pm today. Tickets are $30/$20 concession, and are available from www.festivalofvoices.com

The choirs will also take part in the festival’s everpopular Finale Concert at the Federation Concert Hall on Sunday afternoon, which will also showcase the skills of participants in this year’s choral, gospel and a cappella workshops. Tickets are $38/ $28 concession.

Another group of singers from Asia, the Hong Kong City Choir, has also been in town for the Festival of Voices, and impressed the crowd at last Friday night’s Bonfire and Big Sing event at Salamanca with the Queen and David Bowie classic Under Pressure.