Founded in 1964 on
the initiative of Janja Korosec Zizek and Dinko Fio. One choir in
Maribor. Current Director, Karmina Silec, has been with the
choir since 1989.
The “choir” is better
know as a vocal theatre company and consists of Carmina
Slovenica, ¡Kebataola! Ensemble, and the CS Children's Choir.
This company is all about
pushing boundaries. They perform music that is rarely heard, whether
that be medieval chant, or new compositions. Their performances
involve costumes, set design, light, electronics, dance, narration,
and unique vocal techniques, to name a few features.
Repertoire
Recommendations (from the
highlights listed on the website)
“Placebo-
is there one who would not weep?”
- a production including repertoire by Pergolesi, Bach, J. Cooper, Vivaldi, P. Vasks, G.Bryars, and Karmina Silec
- a production of this magnitude requires a lot of various singing styles and techniques
- in the opening of the trailer, we hear a combination of beautiful blend and intonation as well as extended vocal techniques
“When
the Mountain Changed its Clothing”
- by H. Goebbels with music by Silec, Brahms, Schonberg
- a statement on the changing face of politics, society and culture within the region of Kanin, Slovenia
- extraordinary use of intense expression through the changing “seasons” of the production
- the choir exerts power over the audience
- involves the children's choir
“Rusalki”
- exploration of the low register of the woman's voice
- difficult unison singing of chants requires excellent ensemble, balance, blend, and intonation
- a story about the restless spirits of women who have died accidentally or who have taken their own lives
“Toxic
Psalms”
- a collection of open-ended scenes by various contemporary composers
- a great example of extended techniques
- brilliant use of facial expression and gesture
- the chorus “manifests a collective body and as an organism in reflects a human desire to merge”
“CS
Light”
- involves the smaller ¡Kebataola! Ensemble
- an exploration of minimalist music from the USA, the Baltics, and Scandinavia
- requires a great deal of vocal independence
Other
Recommendations
http://www.carmina-slovenica.si/en/choregie_eng/
- to learn more about the Choregie Idea of performing and teaching
http://www.carmina-slovenica.si/en/introduction/
- for an entire timeline of events (concerts, initiatives,
competitions, awards) from 1964 to today.
