ATHENS, Ga. —UGA Presents is bringing the Prague Philharmonic Children’s Choir to Athens Oct. 23 for a 7:30 p.m. performance in Hodgson Concert Hall. The world-renowned ensemble is touring the United States at the request of the Czech embassy in Washington, DC to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Czech state.
The Prague Philharmonic Children’s Choir was created in 1932 by Jan Kühn, a distinguished singer, director and choirmaster. Originally founded for the needs of the Czech Radio in Prague, the choir gained notoriety and in 1952 became part of the Czech Philharmonic, remaining so for 40 years.
During its 86-year history, the choir has toured extensively, performing throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Among the choir’s greatest achievements are appearances at La Scala in Milan, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Tchaikovsky Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire and the Bregenzer Festspiele in Austria.
The Prague Philharmonic Children’s Choir has won numerous international awards, most notably the European Grand Prix in 1998 and a world record three wins at the prestigious Tolosa Choral Competition in Spain.
Tickets for the concert start at $20 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center box office, online at pac.uga.edu or by calling 706-542-4400. A limited number of discounted tickets are available to current UGA students for $6 to $10 with a valid UGA ID (limit one ticket per student).
A pre-performance talk will be given by Theresa Chafin, a graduate music student at the University of Georgia. The talk begins at 6:45 p.m. in Ramsey Concert Hall.
The concert is sponsored by Brenda H. Browning, Carolyn T. Howell, Bob and Martha Noble, Tom and Karen Jesatko Kenyon, Claire Swann and Dianne Wall.
Hodgson Concert Hall and Ramsey Concert Hall are located in UGA Performing Arts Center at 230 River Road in Athens.