Cantores Finlandeses Performs For Guatemala

Cantores Finlandeses is a mixed-voice choir of 22 singers under the leadership of conductor Sören Hakola and accompanied by Martin Segerstråle on the piano. Specially put together for the trip to Guatemala, the choir represents the amateur music life of Finland’s Swedish-speaking population and belongs to the country’s largest Swedish-language association for amateur music. All the singers belong to choirs in their own regions and have extensive experience.

The aim of the concert tour in Guatemala is to give a taste of Finland-Swedish music in a part of the world where Finland is probably not well known. The repertoire offers a wide range of Finnish, and especially Finland-Swedish choir music, including both classical music from earlier periods, folk music and music written in our own time. Light music and entertaining hit-songs are also part of the program. Even if the native tongue of most of the singers is Swedish, the choir also sings in several other languages as well.

Featured composers include Edvard Grieg, J.S. Bach and Sibelius. Other Finnish composers featured are Juice Leskinen and Martin Segerstråle. There is also a song from the mediaeval song collection Piae Cantiones, which was written in 14th century Åbo.

Cantores Finlandeses will be giving three concerts: in Guatemala City, in La Antigua, and in Monterrico. The choir will also be performing together with local choirs, including the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) Choir. See below for details.

Founded by Dr. Dieter Lehnhoff in the early 1980s, the UVG Choir has performed at educational and cultural institutions and festivals in Guatemala, México, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain and Ecuador. Its repertoire includes works by Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Bruckner; composers from North America and, of course, Guatemala. It has also participated in community projects with organizations and institutions promoting human and cultural values, education and a peaceful society through music.