Sistine Chapel Choir performs in Macau for the first time

The ‘Sistine Chapel Choir: Reverberating Heavenly Tunes in Greater China’ concert will be held on September 19 at 8 p.m. at Macau’s Cathedral. The concert is being organized by Coro Perosi of Macau and was announced yesterday in a press conference held at the Bishop’s residence.
According to a press release issued by the organizers, a Sistine Chapel Choir delegation made up of 70 members will visit Asia for the very first time in September. In addition to the Macau concert, other performances will be held in Hong Kong and Taipei. The tour performances are organized and promoted by The Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture.
The Sistine Chapel Choir sings at all the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. Its origins can be traced back to the early centuries of the church, and was re-organized in the fifteenth century when it became the Pope’s personal Choir, carrying the name “Sistine Chapel” (Capella Musicale Pontificia “Sistina”). This is historically the Choir’s first visit in Asia. They have chosen to perform in Greater China and to conduct cultural exchanges using their voices. The Choir has been described as another key cultural missionary ever since Marco Polo visited China.
During the press conference, the president of Coro Perosi Young Lam said in his speech that “the Choir is known throughout the world for their pure, beautiful harmony. What is worth special mention is that of the three concerts to be held in Macau, Hong Kong and Taipei, only the one in Macau will be presented in a World Heritage Site, namely, the Cathedral of Macau, where the Choir will bring to Macau traditional sacred music as well as warmth and joy.”