This church-based choral group finally bagged the Luciano Pavarotti Grand Prize (Choir of the World award) at the 2023 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Competition last July 8
Helmed by conductor and musical director Anthony Go Villanueva, Kammerchor Manila’s victory strengthens the Philippines’ rightful place in the global scope of classical music. The distinction of Choir of the World Award at Llangollen was also earned in the past by the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers, from which Kammerchor Manila traces its roots.
Villanueva was a member of the UST Singers when it joined Llangollen in 1995 and won the award for the first time. Standing on stage again in Wales proved to be an emotional moment for Kammerchor Manila’s conductor, as the event highlighted an important 360-degree turn in his career.
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Based in the Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary in West Triangle, Quezon City, Kammerchor Manila was founded in 1992 by Fidel Calalang, Jr. “He taught me a lot about interpreting music and leading the members,” says Villanueva.
Through the decades, Kammerchor Manila became recognised as one of the leading church choirs in the country. Aside from classical madrigals, the group’s versatility extends to various genres, such as traditional folk songs and contemporary pop music.
While selecting their repertoire for the Llangollen competition, Villanueva decided two entries should display contrasting vocal elements. Rousing applause was given to Kammerchor Manila after its haunting renditions of Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord by Alejandro Consolacion II, a soaring religious anthem that demonstrated the choir’s capacity to execute complicated breathing techniques, and Jēkabs Jančevskis’ contemporary take on the Latvian folk song Atsalums, a “cold and impressionistic” song accompanied by drums and a cacophony of rapid chanting.
