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The boys´ choir of Lluc (known as the “Blauets” or “Blue Boys” due to the colour of their cassocks) is one of the oldest of its type in Europe. According to the Archive of Lluc, the choir originated in 1531 when Prior Vaquer founded it as a choir permanently dedicated to singing the services, and particularly devoted to the Virgin of Lluc.
Thanks to the hard work of the musical directors over the years, the choir is well known throughout Mallorca and beyond. They have made over 20 different recordings of their extensive repertoire.
Some of the landmarks have included:
- Performances of “Nadal a Lluc” (Christmas at Lluc) in the Cathedral of Palma, as well as in Madrid, Gerona and various other cities on the mainland.
- In 1997 the Blauets took part in a Christmas concert, accompanied by the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Mallorca.
- In 2000 the choir performed at the traditional summer concert in the Torrent de Pareis, with the Sa Nostra Chamber Orchestra. The performance was repeated during the fiestas of Lluc that same year.
- Performance of the Song of the Sibil.la at the Worth Theatre Festival in Nancy received the following review:
“les prodigieuses voix enfantines du choir majorquin de Lluc, dont la pureté buleversai le plus endurci des atées, quan un Eliacin vêtu d´ormonte seul en chaire pour chanter l´Oracle de la Sybille, divin moment” (M. Galery en l´Expres).
The choir has also sung in Westminster Cathedral; in Ronda during the celebrations for the UNICEF Year of Childhood; and in May 2007, with other choirs from Cataluña, during the premier of Germania, by the well-known musician Lluis Llach.
The choir sings the Salve before the statue of the Virgin every morning and afternoon, watched by pilgrims and tourists alike. Their two most important services during the year are the Easter and Christmas Matins. In addition the boys study choral work, musical expression and musical instruments. The choir school also provides the normal Primary and Secondary education to 2º de ESO, with the curriculum taught in Mallorcan.
The Blauets have recorded 3 CDs on the Ona Digital label: Laudete pueri Dominum in 1996, Balears, balls i cançons in 1998, and Nadal blau in 2001.
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