Paul Hillier’s Theatre of Voices to Offer Concert

The concert is the second event of the 1996-97 Secrest Artists Series season.

The Wake Forest concert, titled “To Chase the Cold Winter Away,” takes its name from a Christmas carol on the program. In addition to Anglo-American carols from the shape-note and Shaker traditions, the chamber choir will sing William Byrd motets, Christmas pieces from the Eastern Orthodox tradition and works from the Spanish Renaissance. The program ranges from the 14th century “Canticle of the Sun” to three contemporary works by Arvo Part.

Variety magazine described a Theatre of Voices concert as “profound musical expression with vocal performances of bell-like clarity.”

Paul Hillier, its founder and artistic director, formed the group in 1992. Hillier is perhaps best known for a series of recordings of vocal music by Renaissance composers. He directed the Hilliard Ensemble, an all-male ensemble, for 15 years before founding the mixed-chorus Theatre of Voices. He began his career as a singer in the choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. A Grammy Award nominee and the recipient of two Edison Prizes, Hillier is a solo singer specializing in medieval lyrics and has been a frequent guest conductor with choirs around the world.

The Theatre of Voices has recorded several compact discs featuring composers such as Josquin Desprez, Thomas Tallis, Perotin , John Cage, Steve Reich and Arvo Part. The group tours throughout North America and Europe.

Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available by calling the Theatre Box Office in Scales Fine Arts Center at 759-5295. Box office hours are noon to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. For additional information or to arrange a group discount, call the Secrest Series office at 910-759-5757.