The Gregorian Choir of Parish in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - For the very first time, the world-renowned "Gregorian Choir of Paris" (Chœur Grégorien de Paris) performed in Cebu. The choir did a selection of Latin chants and hymns in two venues in the city over the weekend - at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday, February 21 and in The Terraces of the Ayala Center Cebu on Sunday, February 22.

Participating in the historic celebration of the 450th year of the presence of the Augustinians in the Philippines (1565-2015), the choir's Cebu performances were part of the itinerary of its Philippine Tour - which kicked off with a performances at the Alabang Town Center on February 18 and at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros on February 19.

The group that came to the Philippines consists of 26 male and female choristers from France, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Colombia, Madagascar, Lithuania, Chile, and the Republic of Korea, and led by choir conductor Charles Barbier.

The choir's Philippine Tour has been endorsed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and is aimed towards imparting a spiritual message of hope and solidarity after the recent upheavals in the country caused by calamities.

Formed in 1974, the ensemble has dedicated itself to cultivating the traditional Gregorian chant through the preservation and dissemination of the musical art form through liturgical ceremonies and concerts in different parts of the world.

Also scheduled to perform in Cagayan de Oro and Davao City after Cebu, the ensemble's performances in Cebu was made possible with the support of Alliance Française de Manille, Alliance Française de Cebu, the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Ayala Malls, as well as the official international airline partner Etihad Airways, official local airline partner Cebu Pacific, official hotel partners SEDA, InterContinental Manila - and its official media partner, The Philippine Star. (FREEMAN)