Lloyd Newell, the voice of Music and the Spoken Word, announced Sunday during the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s performance on the internationally broadcast program that a new friendship had been formed with members of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
The group of Filipino artists joined with the Tabernacle Choir in a first-ever performance that combined the two world-renowned singing groups.
“It was really great for us to be in the same place with [the Mormon Tabernacle Choir], hearing them sing and sharing our music with them,” said choirmaster Mark Carpio.
The Philippine Madrigals sang some Filipino folk songs and joined the choir for several spiritual hymns. After the broadcast, they were invited to perform two additional numbers that showcased their group’s versatile vocal range and entertaining presentation.
The choral group is based at the University of the Philippines and comprised of students, faculty and alumni. The group is also known as the UP Madrigal Singers, or simply Madz.
Professor Meg Montes is a soprano for Madz. She said performing with the choir far exceeded her expectations. “It was really fun to be able to sing with [the choir],” said Montes. “I just had a warm feeling and it was great to meet new friends.”
The Filipino singers received a warm reception at the Tabernacle on Temple Square, an experience they would like to repeat. “I can speak on behalf of all singers that … we have enjoyed ourselves,” said Mark Carpio. “I think everyone would like to come back here and sing again to the people … in Salt Lake.”
The Madz performance coincides with the Church’s 50-year anniversary of officially opening the Philippine Islands to missionary work in April 1961. Currently there are more than 645,000 Latter-day Saints in the Phlippines.
Salt Lake City is the first stop for the critically acclaimed Philippine Madrigal Singers as part of a six-month goodwill concert tour of North and South America.
Madz was formed in 1963 and is the only choir to be a two-time winner of the coveted Grand Prize in the European Grand Prix in Choral Singing in Arezzo, Italy.
Download links for video:
Broll: http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/2011-04-0190-philippine-madrigals-broll-1500k-eng.mov
Interviews with the Madrigals: http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/2011-04-0190-philippine-madrigals-sots-1500k-eng.mov
Madrigals sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir: http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/2011-04-0190-philippine-madrigals-pkg-1500k-eng.mov
The Madrigal Singers perform fun songs that demonstrate their versatile talent
The Madrigal Singers delight the audience and Choir with their performance
Philippine Madrigal Singeres (seated center) perform with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on 17 April 2011
The Philippine Madrigal Singers below the Tabernacle's iconic pipe organ during Music and the Spoken Word performances on 17 April 2011