For Immediate Release

CHANTICLEER MARKS 30th ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW MUSIC AND VENUES IN 2007-08 BAY AREA SEASON

San Francisco, August 3, 2007 – Chanticleer, the Grammy Award-winning male vocal ensemble, announces that its 30th Bay Area season will feature new music and new venues, including three premieres at the highly anticipated San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall. The ensemble will give 31 concerts across the greater Bay Area between September 2007 and June 2008.

My Spirit Sang All Day, a concert highlighting Chanticleer’s signature sound, will open the season in September. The classic A Chanticleer Christmas will be performed throughout December, followed by From the Path of Beauty, a brand new piece by Chen Yi, featuring The Shanghai Quartet, in March. Chanticleer will embark on a tour of nine California Missions in May, with El Camino Real.

Christine Bullin, Chanticleer’s President and General Director says, “Our 30th season finds us ranging far and wide – from Budapest to Boston, from Paris to Portland. A new Christmas recording, a major new commission, and a tour of the California Missions promise an exciting year!”

My Spirit Sang All Day

The 30th season opens September 15 with My Spirit Sang All Day, a concert featuring Chanticleer’s lush signature sound in early works by Byrd, Palestrina, Romantic music from the 19th and 20th centuries by Poulenc, Barber, and Mahler, and newly commissioned works: All Things Resounding (world premiere) by Janika Vandervelde and Jalapeno Blues (west coast premiere) by Gabriela Lena Frank, featuring the poetry of Trinidad Sanchez, Jr. The concert will conclude with exquisite arrangements of folk songs, familiar gems and spirituals. My Spirit Sang All Day will also mark Chanticleer’s debut at the brand new San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall.
Opening on September 15 at the SFCM, My Spirit Sang All Day will continue September 16 in Davis, September 17 in Santa Clara, September 19 in Berkeley, September 20 in Petaluma, and September 22 and 23 at the SFCM.

A Chanticleer Christmas

The beloved Christmas concerts, a Bay Area tradition for more than 25 years, will be performed ten times in December. The program blends traditional carols, medieval and Renaissance sacred works and moving spirituals.  A Chanticleer Christmas will open on December 10 in Berkeley (8pm), repeating December 14 in Petaluma (6 & 8:30pm); December 15 and 23 in San Francisco (8pm); December 16 in Davis (3pm); December 20

in Santa Clara (6 & 8:30pm); December 21 in Carmel (6 & 8:30pm); and December 22 at Mission San Jose in Fremont (3pm).

From the Path of Beauty

The March concerts will feature a world premiere by Chen Yi, former composer-in-residence for Chanticleer. The celebrated composer has written From the Path of Beauty for Chanticleer and The Shanghai Quartet. She says, “The music will bring us through the history of beauty in Chinese arts…It will be deep in expression and rich in color, lyrical yet dramatic.” The March 16 performance includes a special appearance by the Crystal Children’s Choir. From the Path of Beauty will be performed March 13 and 16 at the SFCM; March 14 in Berkeley; and March 15 in Santa Clara.

El Camino Real – Chanticleer Travels the Mission Road

Chanticleer’s longstanding affection for the California Missions goes back to its debut 30 years ago in the Mission Dolores in San Francisco. This concert of Mission-era music will start in San Luis Obispo and will continue up the California coast to San Francisco.
El Camino Real is part of the American Masterpieces – California series, a program supported by the California Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Western States Arts Federation. El Camino Real begins May 15 at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, followed by performances on May 16 (Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo – Carmel); May 17 (Mission Nuestra Senora de al Soledad); May 18 (Mission San Juan Bautista); May 19 and May 30 (Mission San Francisco de Asis – Mission Dolores); May 27 (Mission Santa Cruz); May 28 (Mission Santa Clara); May 29 (Mission San Jose).

Other highlights of the 30th Anniversary season include the release of a new Christmas album, Let It Snow in September 2007, educational activities in the Bay Area and across the country, and more than 75 additional concert performances and special events comprising both national and international tours.

Two-, three- and four-concert subscriptions are on sale now and range from $84 - $160 with discounts available for students and seniors. Single ticket prices are $44 and $39 for reserved seats and $25 for general admission, with $3.00 off for students and seniors over 65. To request a subscription brochure, please phone 415-252-8589 or email info@chanticleer.org. Single tickets go on sale August 1 through City Box Office 800-407-1400. For group sales of ten or more, contact Linda Graham at 415-346-7805.

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CONTACT: Amy Bryan, Director of Marketing & PR, 415-252-8589 ext. 306; abryan<at>chanticleer.org

EDITORS: Color digital images available upon request.