Cantabile to give free concert in Palma tonight

PALMA
THE British vocal quartet Cantabile will give a concert entitled From Monteverdi to Monty Python in the church of San Nicolas, Palma, at 8pm today. Entrance is free.

The concert marks the 400th anniversary of the first performance of the first opera, Orpheus by Monteverdi, and will show “the evolution of the human voice” from that time, with themes dating from the early 17th century to 1967.

According to Pere Estelrich, the promotor of the concert, it takes its name from the similarity to the two names and to the references to Monty Python which the quartet -- counter tenor, tenor, baritone and bass -- will make.

JAZZ AND POP
The programme will include works by Monteverdi (1567-1643), later classical composers such as Bach (1685-1750), Rossini (1792-1868) and Brahms (1833-1897) as well as jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, and pop stars such as Lennon and McCartney.

Cantabile was founded as a purely cappella student group, and first came to prominence as the narrators of the Tim Rice musical Blondel in the West End of London.

Since then they have retained their unique and unmistakeable sound and sense of humour.
They won the Ensemble of the Year Award from the Wavendon Allmusic Foundation, for pushing back musical frontiers and exploring ever-new territories.
They have made well over 200 television appearances worldwide and have had several radio series of their own, including a celebration of great American songwriters with the BBC Big Band.

They have toured extensively, from the United States to South Africa to Singapore, and frequently perform throughout Europe.

OLIVER TRILOGY
One of their most-highly acclaimed productions was of a trilogy of works by one of Britain's leading 20th century composers, the late Stephen Oliver, two of which had been written specially for the group.

Tonight's concert marks the first performance of the Monteverdi to Monty Python show, which will later be performed in other European venues.
The church of San Nicolas is in the street of the same name, behind the Borne.