Kongero. Photo by Linda Rós Guðnadotter.
Folk’Appella
Kongero
Toronto, Ontario
Presented by
Harbourfront Centre
With their voices moving together in tight harmony or intertwining in a whirling tempo, the highly acclaimed “Folk’appella” vocal group Kongero draws traditional Swedish music out of the past and into the present, taking the listener on a fabulous Nordic folk musical journey.
Kongero’s blue notes and amazing vocal polyphony make for groovy, powerful and intimate music all at once.
This concert will include a new work by Kongero, commissioned by Harbourfront Centre.
Kongero is a Swedish vocal group consisting of four female folk music singers: Lotta Andersson, Emma Björling, Anna Larsson and Anna Wikénius. Kongero was formed in 2005 when the original members all attended a Nordic folk music conference where, by chance, they started singing together to find that their voices and harmonies blended perfectly. Since then, they have performed at many major folk music scenes and festivals and a cappella and chamber music festivals with tours in Europe, Asia and The Americas. They also do church and school concerts, and tours, perform at business events and conduct workshops in traditional Swedish vocal music and vocal harmonies.
Kongero’s repertoire consists of traditional and original songs arranged by the members. Kongero tells tales of life, with moving love songs, dramatic medieval ballads, witty ditties and spirited dances. Their music is characterized by tight harmonies, inciting rhythms and the clarity of their beautiful voices. With con dence, technical skill, irresistible playfulness and brilliant arrangements, Kongero creates a unique sound that brings the traditional music from past to present. They call the genre Swedish Folk’apella.
Kongero has released three full-length albums. They performed their debut album Om Mikaelidagen (On Michaelmas Day) at the international a cappella festival, The Real Festival, arranged by renowned Swedish vocal group The Real Group in September 2008. In 2011, Bakvända Världen (Topsy Turvy World) came, and in June 2014 their latest album no. 3 was released, followed by an extensive release tour. Their records have received excellent reviews in Swedish music magazines and newspapers and have reached a broad audience in Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Great Britain, Canada, Brazil, Israel, Japan and the US. In 2020, Kongero celebrated 15 years together!
