Lögberg-Heimskringla - 28.07.2000, Side 15

Festival Section
Choir tours Canada and USA
The Male Choir of Reykjavík takes
great pride in introducing Icelandic
vocal music to intemational audiences.
The choir is especially honoured to now
have the opportunity to visit both
Canada and the USA and to take an
acive part in celebrating Leif
Eiríksson’s discovery of Vínland by
giving concerts with Icelandic music
composed during the twentieth century.
On its tour to Canada and USA the
Male Voice Choir of Reykjavtk will be
presenting a repertoire consisting of a
variety of Icelandic songs. Some are
folk songs arranged by twentieth-centu-
ry composers. Most of the repertoire,
however, consists of songs that have
been composed in a period spanning
from the 1920s to the year 1999, which
is by far the most productive period in
Iceland’s musical history.
The Male Choir of Reykjavík is
now touring overseas for the eighteenth
time. During past tours, throughout the
world, the response from audiences and
musical critics has been most
favourable.
“Amongst numerous choirs visiting
Vienna now an. Icelandic one from
Reykjavík is of particular interest. The
performance of the choir was most
interesting, introducing Icelandic music
unheard here before. The main charac-
teristics of the music and interpretation
of the choir can only be described as
mere joyfulness. Powerful music that
gets a hold on the audience.”
—P.L. Wiener Zeitung
“The Icelandic Singers’ (The Male
Choir of Reykjavík) Wilmington debut
last night was a triumphant success.
The Icelandic Singers are worthy expo-
nents of the North European school of
choral singing. Their soloists were real
assets to the program.”
—W.E.F. Smith,
Wilmington Morning News, Delaware
Male Voice Choir of Reykjavík
The Male Voice Choir of
Reykjavík (formerly known as The
Icelandic Singers) was founded in 1926
by the Icelandic composer and conduc-
tor, Sigurdur Thordarson. Under his
leadership the choir established itself as
one of the pillars of the newborn
Icelandic inusical society. In the early
years the choir played a significant role
in Iceland’s struggle for independence
as it performed Icelandic music by the
early Icelandic composers to lyrics that
praised Iceland and everything that was
Icelandic.
The Male Voice Choir of Reykjavík
consists of approximaely seventy
singers, mostly amateur singers of dif-
ferent backgrounds and professions
united in the joy of singing. The choir
has always taken pride in providing a
high standard of performance which the
choir strives to maintain by hiring out-
standing conductors, vocal trainers,
soloists, and accompanying musicians.
The Male Voice Choir of Reykjavík
gives annual concerts in Reykjavík to
its devoted supportes. Furthermore, the
choir frequently tours Iceland giving
concerts throughout the country. Since
1935, The Male Choir of Reykjavík has
toured several countries such as
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland,
Russia, the Balkans, Yugoslavia,
Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia,
Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Israel,
and China. The Male Voice Choir of
Reykjavík has toured Canada and the
USA live times, in 1946, 1960, 1967,
1975, and 1981 giving a total of
approximaely 130 concerts during
those five tours. During these tours, The
male Voice Choir of Reykjavík has
established a solid intrnational reputa-
tion that any musical organization can
be proud of.
Conductor Friðrik S. Kristinsson
The Male Voice Choir of Reykjavík.
was bom 1961 in Stykkishólmur, a vil-
lage on the west coast of Iceland. He
started his musical studies at the local
music school and went on to study
organ at the Music Conservatory of the
Church of Iceland. Furthermore, he
studied singing at the Reykjavík
Conservatory of singing and graduated
both as a soloist and a voice teacher in
1987.
Friðrik has conducted the
Reykjavík Male Voice Choir since
1990. He has proven himself to be a
worthy successor of the “Great Two”
conductors of the past, Sigurdur
Thordarson and Páll Pampichler
Pálsson. In addition, he has conducted
The Boys’ Choir of Laugames Church
for the last six years and been the con-
ductor of the Snæfellinga Choir for fif-
teen years. Friðrik S. Kristinsson teach-
es singing at the “Hjartansmál”
Conservatory of singing and is a mem-
ber of Hljómkórinn, a mixed voice
choir of high standard and prestige.
Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 28. júlí 2000 • 15
ALBERTW.
EYOLFSON, LL.B.
Barrister and Solicitor
INKSTER, CHRISTIE, HUGHES, MACKAY
7th Floor - 444 St. Mary Avenue, Wlnnipeg,
Manitoba R3C 3TI Fax: (204) 947-6800
Bus.: (204) 947-6801 Res.: (204) 888-2598
CO-OÞ)
■N
Arborg Consumers Co-op Ass’n. Ltd.
Lurob«r — Grocery — HartSware — Petroleum — Famt Supplies
CO-OP OWNED BY THE PEOPLE iT SEfíVES
ARBORG, MAMTOBA
Qreeery ... 376-5271 Offíca... 376-5245 Gas Bar ... 376-2349
Farm Supptíes & Petroieum...
Long distance 1 800 998-1157 / Local 326-5201
Comphments of. . .
Stefanson & Lqq
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Brent Stelanson, C.A. Ken Lee, C.A. Phil Romaniuk. C.A.
(204)" 6AZ-5577
Open 11' & 3"1 Thursday of every month
,204, 775-8975
200B Polo Park Shopping Cenlre,
1485 Porlage Ave., Winnipeg, R3G0W4
BereLsTaduK
HOUSING CO-OP
The Finest in the West End for Seniors 55 Plus!
MANY ACTIVITIES:
Handicrafts - Exercises
Billiards - Bingo
Cards - Movies
Birthday Socials
Afternoon gatherings
SPECIAL FEATURES:
-Catered dinners
-Van for shopping at
Polo Park Safeway
-Hair Salon
-Store (eggs, bread,
and dairy products)
-Library
-Exercise equipment
-Party & Meeting rooms
with kitchen
-Security System and
Video Monitoring
-24 hour emergency
number
-On site management
and maintenance
-Balconies
-Air Conditioning
BETELSTADUR
HOUSING CO-OP
LTD
1061 Sargent Ave at Erin St
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3M6
Phone:772-7164
1 & 2 Bedroom apartments
CUADDCDC
iDl l^i Wi Wt CmL %3I
DRUG MART
PEMBINA VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE
2085 Pembina Highway
Winnipeg
Telephone 269-8113
Curtis Solmundson
Pharmacist/Owner
Best wishesfor a successful lllth íslendingadagur
<iíi ih wm Rin* fcM1 wwim m n rwf*r Hiirrkihrfei ^ m\ \ nn wHKinMh