Voices from the screen
In early 2003, French director Christophe Barratier and composer Bruno Coulais set off across France in search of a children's choir to perform the music on their film Les Choristes (The Chorus). In the bustling city of Lyons, they discovered Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc.
The film's release in 2004 catapulted the 23-year-old choir to worldwide fame. They are now ranked alongside the renowned Vienna Boys' Choir, which dates back to 1498.
The French choir comprises 80 members, and they rotate to assemble a smaller group of 30 for each of their performances around the world.
Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc - The Little Singers of Saint Marc - was founded in 1986 by Nicolas Porte. The youth choir is made up of exceptionally gifted children. From the tender age of 10, the youngsters undergo three years of intensive vocal training before they are admitted to the choir, where they remain until they turn 15.
Les Petits Chanteurs first visited Hong Kong two years ago, and performed with the Hong Kong Treble Choirs' Association. The Hong Kong group returned the visit, performing with their French counterparts in Paris and Lyon last year. The Les Choristes stars will come back next month and perform at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
The Hong Kong shows will feature a wide variety, from hymns and operettas to classical and contemporary music, including The Lord Bless You and Keep You, Le Tour Du Monde en Quatre-Vingt Jours (Around the World in 80 days), and Ave Maria.
The group will also perform songs from the movie which brought them international recognition, such as the Oscar-nominated Vois Sur Ton Chemin (Look to Your Path).
The Hong Kong Treble Choir will make a guest appearance, while their artistic director Leon Tong Shiu-wai will be guest conductor.
Christine Tsang, 14, was among the audience at the Les Petits Chanteurs concert in 2007. She described it as 'an absolutely magical performance like no other'.
'You don't need to be a music lover to appreciate the awesome talent of the Les Choristes in Concert,' Christine said. 'I really have no words for it ... the voices literally soared. I really would recommend people watch it - you just won't understand until you do.'
Les Choristes in Concert runs from August 7-9. Tickets are available from Urbtix on 2734 9009.
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