Concert celebrates Constantine’s legacy
Posted on 14 February 2012
The concert, Following Constantine the Great – from Nis to York, will bring together musicians from Britain, Serbia, France, Germany and the United States, performing music from Serbia and English classics. There will also be a new work, The Dream of Constantine by Malcolm Bothwell.
Constantine, who was born in Nis, in Serbia, was crowned Emperor of Rome in York in AD306, an event marked with a statue of Constantine near York Minster.
Next year is the 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan, a letter signed by Emperors Constantine I and Licinius that proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire.
To celebrate this important historic event, the Serbian Council of Great Britain, partnered with York’s The 24 choir and various international artists, has organised concerts all over the world.
Formed nine years ago in the University of York’s Department of Music, The 24 is a progressive vocal group consisting of two dozen mixed voices. The group specialises in new and unusual music, but its repertoire extends across all genres and periods.
The project aims to celebrate the importance of Serbian culture to the world’s cultural heritage and strengthen the connection between artists from Serbia and other countries.
Professor Bill Brooks
The choir’s Director, Professor Bill Brooks, said: “The York concert is part of the first phase of a project to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan. As well as marking this important historical event, the project aims to celebrate the importance of Serbian culture to the world’s cultural heritage and strengthen the connection between artists from Serbia and other countries.
“The second phase of the project will hopefully see a full exchange of choirs in 2013, with The 24 travelling to Nis and a Nis choir paying a return visit to York.”
All proceeds from the concert on Sunday, 19 February at York’s St. Saviourgate Unitarian Chapel will go towards the exchange programme.
Tickets for the concert, which begins at 4pm, are £4 in advance or £6 on the door. To order a ticket, contact Ana Beard-Fernandez on email aibf500@york.ac.uk.Notes to editors:
- For more information on The 24 visit www.the24.co.uk
- For more information on the
University of York’s Department of Music visit www.york.ac.uk/music
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