Houston Chamber Choir Presents CHRISTMAS AT THE VILLA This Weekend

The Houston Chamber Choir presents a second concert that has become a community tradition for the holidays -- Christmas at the Villa, featuring GRAMMY-nominated guitarist and lutenist Richard Savino, is set for today, December 14 and tomorrow, December 15 at 3:30 and 7:30 pm at the Chapel of the Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale Ave.).

Christmas at the Villa

Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm

The Chapel of the Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023)

Christmas at the Villa has become a Houston holiday tradition. The Chapel of the Villa de Matel, built in 1928, is modeled after Northern Italian basilicas and when paired with the voices of the Houston Chamber Choir produces a radiant musical experience. The beauty of the Villa de Matel and the sparkle of fresh carols and beloved favorites combine in a way that has made this program a citywide favorite year after year. This season Houston Chamber Choir welcomes GRAMMY-nominated guitarist and lutenist Richard Savino as the special guest artist. Mr. Savino has appeared frequently with the Houston Chamber Choir and throughout the US and abroad. He is the recipient of a Diapason d'Or (a French Grammy). Matinee performances will feature The Treble Choir of Houston at Christ Church Cathedral, directed by Marianna Parnas-Simpson, composed of children from the greater Houston community.

Tickets for all concerts are $40 and $36 for seniors. For more information on the Houston Chamber Choir, or for ticket sales, visit the Choir web site at www.houstonchamberchoir.org or call (713) 224-5566.

ABOUT THE HOUSTON CHAMBER CHOIR: The Houston Chamber Choir is a professional ensemble dedicated to increasing the awareness, appreciation and esteem of choral music and musicians through performance, outreach and education. Described by Peter Phillips, founder of the Tallis Scholars, as "one of this country's leading ensembles," the Houston Chamber Choir was established in 1995 by Artistic Director Robert Simpson. In April 2012, Houston Chamber Choir made its New York City debut at Trinity Church Wall Street. The Choir continued its tour to Yale University by invitation of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music where it presented a master class and concert in Marquand Chapel. The Chamber Choir is showcased on the world premiere recording of Psalmi ad Vesperas (1694) by Giovanni Paolo Colonna and Ravishingly Russian, a recording of 19th and 20th century Russian secular choral music.

ABOUT RICHARD SAVINO: GRAMMY nominated guitarist/lutenist Richard Savino has been a featured performer throughout the US and abroad. He has been Visiting Artistic Director of the Aston Magna Academy and Music Festival (1993, 1995, 2005, 2009, 2010), the Connecticut Early Music Festival (2002), Ensemble Rebel (2010) and from 1994 - 1997 was Coordinator of Performance Practice at the Monadnock Music Festival in New Hampshire. He is conductor of the group El Mundo, a musical ensemble he founded in 1999. In 2012 El Mundo's recording, Kingdoms of Castille, was nominated for a GRAMMY. He is also the recipient of a Diapason d'Or (a French Grammy) and in 2010 his collaborative project with Ars Lyrica of Houston received a GRAMMY nomination.

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