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Norwegian
Voci Nobili wins hearts at CSULB
Choir
• The all-girl Voci Nobili choir from
Bergen University College in Norway performed
Monday night at the Gerald R. Daniel Recital
Hall to a theatre filled with alumni, music
students and various others in the Long
Beach community. www.kjerka.com
By
Jennifer Frevele
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Voci
Nobili, an all women's choir from Bergen
University College in Norway, gave a flawless
performance on Monday evening.
Filled
with alumni, music students and other members
of the Long Beach community, the theatre
rang with more than 20 voices in harmony.
The
event began as the 25 singers entered the
stage wearing various costumes of white
blouses under green, blue and red jumper
dresses. Opening with "Weddingmarch"
by Jan Magne Forde, the choir left the audience
aghast at their extraordinary talent. These
women sang with emotion and passion as they
effortlessly collected their voices in tune.
"Weddingmarch"
was followed by songs such as "Welcome
With Honour," and""Bendik
and Arolilja," a song about love. Not
only did their voices bring chills to the
audience members, but their stage presence
gleamed throughout the evening.
Anne
Catherine Eiken, a soprano in the choir,
was featured throughout the show. Each time
she raised her voice, the audience members
gasped in delight.
The
accompanist, Geir Botnen, has been with
the choir for several years. Having studied
music at the Grieg Academy in Bergen, Botnen
also performs as a soloist and a chamber
musician. Botnen has also worked with Norwegian
composers such as Geirr Tveitt and Edvard
Grieg.
The
conductor, Maria Gamborg Helbekkmo, presented
her talent for both singing and conducting.
Currently teaching choir conducting, piano
and voice at Bergen University College,
Helbekkmo has an outstanding resume and
has conducted and performed all over the
world. She is most known for winning "Best
Conductor" in 2002 at the international
competition in Riva del Garda, Italy.
After
intermission, Voci Nobili returned to the
stage wearing black evening gowns. They
continued the performance with "Music
for a While," during which Eiken left
the audience speechless.
In
another piece called "My True Love
Hath My Heart," each member of the
choir placed a red heart pin over their
hearts. Clever moments like this were refreshing,
adding a humorous touch.
The
choir ended the evening with "I Got
Rhythm," arranged by Ward Swingle,
where the singers added theatrical movement
to their lively voices. After a standing
ovation, Helbekkmo decided they would sing
one more: "My Funny Valentine,"
which was perfect for a February performance.
Having
won several awards nationally, including
three of four first place positions at the
Slingo International Choirfestival in Ireland,
this competing choir has earned its renowned
reputation.
Voci
Nobili was first created in 1989, and continues
to succeed in their vocal perfection. These
women attribute over 500 hours each year
in dedication to the group. Most of these
women are students at Bergen University
College or the University of Bergen, and
their countless hours of rehearsal have
allowed them to dominate nationally.
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