From Kiev to Clifton - The Boyan Ensemble

23 November 2008
Location: Clifton Cathedral
Address: Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3BX
Time: 3.00 pm

The Boyan Ensemble from Kiev will be performing in Bristol’s acoustically vibrant Clifton Cathedral.

Described as “one of the finest male vocal ensemble’s of its time”, “fantastic” and “one of the world’s best” - the talented Ukrainians are bringing their sacred chants and songs of their homeland to one of the West’s most inspiring venues.  

Margarete Rolle the Boyan Ensemble’s UK Representative said, “Hailed a musical sensation on their first UK visit in 1992, Boyan Ensemble’s tours have become an eagerly awaited annual event.

“Bristol audiences in particular, have welcomed the choir each year and many fans consider the Boyan concerts to be the highlight of their musical calendar.

“The Ensemble is delighted to be performing in Clifton’s stunning Cathedral which has such a high reputation for liturgical music and appreciative audiences.  
 
“The first half of the concert features the enriching, spiritual music of the Eastern Orthodox Church, whilst in the second half there are songs from Ukraine’s rich folk heritage ranging from the soulful to the exuberant.

“Members of the Ensemble are drawn from Ukraine’s top professional male choir - a single female voice, the soprano Valentina Ivanenko, adds a unique element that distinguishes this choir from all others.”
 
Tickets are available from Bath Festivals Box Office on 01225 463362 and Providence Music, 1 St Georges Road, Bristol BS1 5UL or 0117 927 6536.  They are priced at £18.00 with £16.00 concessions; £16.00 with £14.00 concessions and just £8.00 for students and children.  Plenty of free parking is available at the Cathedral.

Pat Rowe from Bristol is a big fan of the Boyan Ensemble.  She said, “The Boyan Ensemble is a wonderful collection of singers and musicians, and Clifton Cathedral is the ideal venue in which to enjoy their talents.

“The Ensemble receives no major sponsorship and they rely on the box office receipts to cover all their expenses.  They are even put up by local families who volunteer to give the singers free bed and breakfast.  The members themselves sacrifice their summer holidays to raise money for travel and visa costs - for the British visas alone; they have to raise £6000.00.  They don’t even fly to the UK for their tour - all their travelling is done overland by coach.  So it’s quite an effort for them to get to Bristol and bring us their wonderful music.”

A sample of the Boyan Ensemble's talent can be heard in the multimedia panel on the right.