"Argentella"
A short history
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Pierre Pinelli, the Archbishop of Calvi, was one of the founder members of the group. When he was called to higher functions within his ministry, he handed over hos responsibilities within the group to Dominique Claveau who has remained as choir leader since 2000. |
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With her energy and determination she has undertaken to vary the group's repertoire which now includes both sacred and secular music as well as gospel of which she is particularly fond. oIn 2003 the group was christened "Argentella" and Francis Cardi is the gropu's President. The choir id now made up of about twenty singers and the perform throughout the Balagne region of Corsica. o Now and again they unite with choirs from other parts of the island to perform at special functions, charity and fundraising concerts. 0Occasionally they are invited to sing at religious festivals, weddings and funerals. |
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In order to encourage cultural exchanges the choir took part in the Festival des Trois Cultures -(Festival of Three Cultures)- the three C's standing for Calvi, Ciboure and Collioure, three towns from different regions of France. |
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| In 2004 a choir from Basse Ariege joined Argentella in Calvi for a joint concert and the choir sang in Ariege in 2005. 0In October of the same year Argentella perfirmed two concerts in England, the first in Christ Church London and the second in Cranleigh. oThey also performed with the famous French composer and singer Michel Mallory in Ile Rousse, Corsica and have appeared on French television with Michel Drucker. oIn November they sang during the Festival du Vent (Wind Festival) which was filmed by the BBC who were doing a programme about Corsican songs. oIn March 2006 Calvi hosted the Montaigut Choir from Creteil near Paris who joined Argentella in Calvi for a special concert. |
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Argentella's current repertoir includes sacred songs, Mozart, Handel, Faure, St Saens, Vidala e Baguela, Korsakoff, Gounod, Bornantsky as well as French, Italian, English, Corsican and African songs. During their recent visit to Scotland, they performed two concerts, each with a different programme which was greatly appreciated by the discerning audiences. |