Yes, that's right - Capella Regalis at Cannes. Capella Regalis is the subject of a short documentary by Timothy Blackwood, twin brother of former CR manager, Mike Blackwood, at the Cannes International Film Festival in May. In 2011, Timothy came on the first choir tour to film this documentary.
Timothy writes about the documentary, and being at the premiere in Cannes:
How Can I Keep from Singing? is a collaborative work that came out of my love for choral music and my deep appreciation of that tradition as it flourishes in Nova Scotia. This short documentary film follows the Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir on its first tour of Nova Scotia. It premiered recently at the Cannes International Film Festival.
I was honored and delighted to be at the premiere in France. We had a packed screening and it was really well received. Many people commented on what wonderful characters the boys were and found their adventure really exciting. Even one of my Danish colleagues who helped with the filming flew in from Copenhagen for the premiere.
Nick Halley is doing wonders with this choir, giving boys world-class training modeled after the rich English tradition of choral music for men and boys. And as you can see in the film this is an invaluable experience for the boys, not just for becoming skilled musicians but also being nurtured in the world. The choir is now about to record its first album. So being on their first tour and capturing it was very special.
When you see this film for the first time (hopefully at a film festival in Canada) I believe you will find a universal message of joy as it is revealed through the wonderful experiences of these boys as they discover the power of music and the beauty of the world in which we live.
-Timothy Blackwood
Learn more about this film at www.howcanikeepfromsinging.com
