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The Choir : History
The
choir of “Les
Bengalis de Liège” was founded in the parish of “St
Vincent” of Liège in 1973 by Christian Lacomble. The group
rapidly grew in numbers and undertook the study of classical and
modern polyphonic pieces. The
“Bengalis” then started giving concerts in the Province and
soon started taking part in different music contests where they
earned first prizes.
In
November 1994 the “Choir of Les Bengalis de Liège” performed
the “Oratorio of Liège” by the local composer Lucette Piron
in front of a 2,000 audience in two concerts. The first
performance took place in the presence of Her Majesty Queen
Fabiola. The group
then entered for the Europe Contest for Choral Song in
Luxemburg in May 1995 where they won a First Prize with Great
Distinction. The group also frequently
sing abroad. During the last few years the choir successively went
to the Swiss Valais, to Normandy in France, to Bath (England), to
Vevey (Switzerland), to Paris and in April 2002 to Italy, in
Trento and the Garda Lake.
In
1999 they celebrated their 25th anniversary in a
“concert-show” called “Always sing” with an audience of
some 600 people.
Every
year since 1997 they traditionally put on a great Christmas
concert in the Thier-à-Liège Church. On
this special occasion they welcome two different music groups:
(choir groups and orchestras or bands) for a joint concert where
variety, imagination and special Christmas mood and scenery
attract hundreds of people ( there were 500 of them last year).
The
Group contributed to the recording of two CDs : “L’oratorio de
Liège” and a tribute to “Offenbach”.
The
group is a member of “La Fédération Musicale de la Province de
Liège” and licensed by the Association of the “Art et Vie”
tours.
 MUSICAL
DIRECTOR
 Vincent
CLAASSENS is our current Musical Director. He succeeded Christine
SOLHOSSE in 2004.
Educated
as a pianist, Vincent was the piano accompanist of the choir of
Hermalle for some years. He also got a special tuition in harmony
and music theory at the Cesar Franck Academy of Visé.
Being
active in various vocal groups he's also very well acquainted with
the world of choral music. Moreover Vincent CLAASSENS sings in the
group "Dioo Drops" a vocal group in Haccourt. He takes
part in a musical show designed by a group of teachers and
students of the College St Hadelin Visé and is a music arranger
for songs of all kinds in 3, 4 or 5 mixed voices.
Création :
Patrick
Cuypers - mise à jour :
04/08/2010
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