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From Japan to the Vatican, from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite to the soundtrack of The Dish, The Australian Boys Choir has been bringing its angelic sounds to the world for 75 years.
To celebrate its diamond anniversary, the choir will host the 75 Years, 75 Stories exhibition in Federation Square, featuring interactive exhibits, open rehearsals, music workshops and a flash mob.
Renowned as the country’s first and finest boys choir, the ABC was founded on a Friday night in October 1939 when 22 boys accepted the invitation of a school teacher in Toorak to form a choir.
Since then the choir has established a tradition of musical excellence in both live performances and recordings, working under many international conductors including Zubin Mehta and Jorge Mester, and with great orchestras including the Israel Philharmonic and the Melbourne Symphony.
The choir has represented Australia in Japan in celebrations leading up to the Winter Olympics, taken part in the millennium choral festival at the Vatican and performed around Australia, North Africa, Europe and Asia. It has also featured on the soundtracks of several films, most notably in the Oscar-nominated Elizabeth and The Dish.
Today, under the artistic direction of conductor and composer Noel Ancell OAM, about 150 boys aged six to 15 years sing with the choir’s training and performance groups.
The choir will also perform a 75th Gala Concert on Sunday, August 17 at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
» 75 Years, 75 Stories June 6-10, Yarra Gallery, Federation Square
» www.australianboyschoir.com.au
