Shakira Chooses Hip Young Classical Music Ensemble To Open Her New Album, Oral Fixation 2

Miami, FL (Seraphic Fire/ Top 40 Charts) - Seraphic Fire, Miami's Professional Chamber Choir, will be featured on track number 1 (How Do You Do?) of Shakira's latest CD, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, to be released on November 29, 2005. Seraphic Fire is the first classical music ensemble to be featured on a hit pop album since 1990 when the Benedictine Monks of Silos were featured on Enigma's MCMXC.

Known for their 'thrilling' performances (The Sun-Sentinel) and 'fearless' young singers (Palm Beach Post) who are as beautiful as the sounds they create, Seraphic Fire boasts performances that are as exciting to the eye as they are to the ear. 'This is an in-your-face, take no prisoners approach to music making,' says Artistic Director Patrick Dupré Quigley. The rebelious 27 year old conductor strives to shake off the stuffy image of classical music. 'Our aim is to excite as well as entertain, attracting audiences to classical music with passionate and provocative performances. You won't fall asleep in these classical music concerts.'

Unlike many classical music organizations who feel that they must choose between high-quality music making and popular appeal, Seraphic Fire is rejecting this either-or paradigm. 'There doesn't need to be a choice,' says Quigley, 'Classical music is relevant: as relevant to a 25 year old as it is to a 55 year old. We are the future of classical music—exciting, good looking, and damn good at what we do.'

Sun-Sentinel music critic Lawrence Johnson writes, 'At a time when classical music organizations across the country seem to be either cutting back on events or dumbing down in order to attract ‘new' audiences, its nice to be able to report that one first-class…group is expanding its outreach while maintaining high artistic ideals.'

The rest of the South Florida press agrees. 'The serene voices of Seraphic Fire produced some of the most exquisite choral sound heard locally in many seasons…Quigley's chorale was nothing short of superb' says the Miami Herald. The Miami New Times continues: 'Quigley…brings energy and soul to the typically staid world of chamber music.' The Palm Beach Post offers this advice to the music lover: 'Remember this name: Seraphic Fire.'

Mr. Quigley and the musicians of Seraphic Fire are available for interview and for photo shoots by calling Gabrielle Tinto, Artistic Administrator, at 305-476-0260. High resolution photographs are available upon request. More information on Seraphic Fire's 2005/2006 season is available on the web at www.SeraphicFire.org.