To celebrate its 70th anniversary British Council Romania invited EXAUDI, "the extraordinary [British] ensemble of vocal virtuosy" (as the Sunday Times called them), to perform at the National Theatre, Amfiteatru Hall, on 11 December at 19.00.

Eversince its foundation in 2002 by director James Weeks and soprano Juliet Fraser, EXAUDI has been known in Great Britain for its unique approach, blending a thorough knowledge of medieval singing and a firm commitment to contemporary music.

To illustrate this, the evening programme includes English and German medieval carols, pieces by William Byrd, Michael Praetorius, Johann Sebastian Bach, carols by Peter Maxwell Davies from O Magnum Mysterium and by Michael Finnissy.
The programme will also feature a new composition by young Romanian composer Diana Gheorghiu as a fresh example of the collaborative work bringing together British and Romanian artists which the British Council supported over the years.
The piece, called Plai-Ground, sums up what we have done over the years: build bridges, facilitate access to top British art, give UK and Romanian artists and audiences a chance to better understand one another and their respective cultures.

“Plai- Ground is dedicated to the London-based vocal ensemble Exaudi and the Bucharest-based percussion ensemble ‘Game’; it expresses the cooperation between two cultures – British and Romanian - during 70 years of British Council activity in Romania.
The title is a play-upon-words. While resembling the English word playground, it associates the Romanian word "Plai” (meaning "land”) and the English word "Ground” aiming to establish a connection between different spaces interacting in a symbolic game during which the performers – voices and percussion group – joyfully celebrate the similarities and the differences between them.” - Diana Gheorghiu, composer

The local percussion ensamble GAME will join Exaudi on stage for this truly unique performance.  

The concert is organised in partnership with the Union of Romanian Musicians and Interpreters.

An event recommended by COTIDIANUL