Vienna Boys Choir to perform “Bella Italia” at Hesston Mennonite Church

Vienna Boys Choir

The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts series welcomes the internationally-acclaimed Vienna Boys Choir Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church in the second performance of this season’s concert series.

The Vienna Boys Choir consists of 100 boys between the ages of 10 and 14 from all over the world, 24 of whom will perform the “Bella Italia” concert on Nov. 9. The program will feature compositions from Italy, including classical pieces by Vivaldi, Rossini, Verdi, Mascagni and other Italian composers, along with such popular favorites as “Santa Lucia,” “O sole mio,” “Volare” and more.

Directing this group of Vienna Boys Choir members is Manolo Cagnin. Cagnin, born Treviso, Italy, entered this position in 2008 and prepares the boys for sound and video recordings, masses and the Vienna State Opera. “They possess character and spirit,” Cagnin said. “This is reflected in the way they make music. The children learn from me, and I learn from them.”

The choir has toured to many places such as Vietnam, China, Singapore, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America.

The Vienna Boys Choir is a private, not-for-profit organization that has been recording music since the 1930s. In close association with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir provides the music for the Sunday Mass in Vienna’s Imperial Chapel.

Reserved seating and general admission tickets for Vienna Boys Choir are available at hesstonbethel.org or by calling 620-327-8105. Single tickets are for sale at Bethel College’s Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center and in the Hesston College Bookstore during regular business hours. Ticket prices range from $25 to $29 with discounts for students and senior citizens.

The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts series is a collaborative effort of Hesston College and Bethel College, presenting five performances by world-renowned or regionally acclaimed artists each year. HBPA is funded in part by the cities of Hesston and North Newton, Excel Industries and Hustler Turf Equipment, the Hesston Community Foundation and area patrons.