January 1st, 2024 - Present

 

Last Updated April 15th, 2024

 Welcome to all new readers.

If you are unfamiliar with Libera, you may wish to go to Part One (link below) of this Timeline for an overview and history of the group, including the story of its beginnings.

Please note: new material is added at the end of each post, rather than at the beginning, 

Once again I state that I'm a writer, not a techie, so please forgive the occasional odd configuration, type change, or spacing from imported material. I welcome corrections, suggestions and comments at: aahill@sonic.net

Disclaimer: This  ongoing essay-with-videos is strictly an informal history, and, while I've attempted to make it as accurate as possible, some of my sources (or my interpretation of them) may be flawed or inaccurate. If you notice errors that I have made, or facts that were taken from inaccurate sources, please let me know at my email address (above) so that I may make appropriate changes.

 This piece of writing has not been authorized by, nor is it connected with, the Libera/St. Philip's organization.

Also, since the size of the Timeline makes it impossible to police all video links, some may have ceased to function or be unavailable. In this case, go to your search engine and enter "YouTube" and the name or subject referenced in the link. There will usually be a duplicate video available. 

For a very brief history of Libera with photos: https://intro-to-libera.blogspot.com

For Part One (introduction to Libera and to the Timeline, extensive overview, & coverage for 1981-2007), please go to: http://liberatimeline.blogspot.com/ 

For The Tables of Contents for all Parts & Appendix A (there is also a Table of Contents at the beginning of each part):   https://liberatimelinetocappenda.blogspot.com/ 

For Part Two (2008-2009): http://liberatimeline2.blogspot.com/ 

For Part Three (2010): http://liberatimeline3.blogspot.com/ 

 For Part Four (2011): http://liberatimeline4.blogspot.com/ 

For Part Five (2012): http://liberatimeline5.blogspot.com/ 

For Part Six (January-May 2013): http://libera-timeline-6.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 6A (May-December 2013): http://libera-historicaltimeline6a.blogspot.com/ 

 For Part Seven (January-July 2014): http://libera-historicaltimelinepart7.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 7A (August-November 2014): http://libera-historical-timelinepart7a.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 7B (December 2014): http://libera-historical-timeline-part7b.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 8 (January-March 2015): https://lib-erahistorical-timeline-part-eight.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 8A (January-March, 2015): http://liberahistorical-timeline-part-8-a.blogspot.com/  

For Part 8B (August-December, 2015): http://liberahistoricaltimelinepart8b.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 9 (January-July, 2016): http://liberahistoricaltimeline-part-9.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 9A (July through December, 2015): http://lib-erahistorical-timelinepart9a.blogspot.com/ 

 For Part 10 (January 1st, 2017-August 11th, 2017): https://li-berahistoricalt-imelinepart1a.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 10A  (August 12^th to December 31^st, 2017): https://lib-era-historic-altimelinepart10a.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 11 (January 1^st– October 20th: https://lib-er-ahistorical-timelinepart11.blogspot.com/ 

For Part11A ( October 21st to December 31st, 2018): https://li-berahistoricaltime-line11a.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 12 (January 1st to August 17th, 2019): https://liberahistoricaltimelinepart12.blogspot.com/ 

For Part 12A (August 18^th to December 31st, 2019): https://lib-era-historicaltimelinepart12a.blogspot.com/

For Part 13 (January 1st to December 31st, 2020): https://liberatimelinepart13.blogspot.com/

For Part 14 (January 1^st – July 5th, 2021: https://liberahisttimelinepart14.blogspot.com/2021

For Part 14a (July 5th - December 31st, 2021: https://histtimeline14alibera.blogspot.com

For Part 15 (January 1st - February 20th, 2022): https://15libhisttimeline.blogspot.com 

For Part 15A ( February 20th - Present, 2022): https://libhisttimelinepart15a.blogspot.com

For Part 16 (January 1^st – December 31st, 2023): https://libhisttimeline16.blogspot.com

For Part 17 (January 1^st – Present, 2024) https://libhisttimeline17.blogspot.com

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PART 17

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Reaction Videos

• UK Summer Cathedral Tour Announced

• Fall Japan Tour Announced

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On January 1st, The Libera Dreams Fan Forum posted two new "reaction videos" to Libera's iconic (28 million hits as of this date) 2019 version of "Carol of the Bells."

As always, it was amusing to see the impact of the group on those unfamiliar with Libera.

For all reaction videos to date, see: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Libera+reaction+videos

On January 8th, a new surprise video featured Japanese singer Hiroko Yakushimaru, singing a number called "Song Between You and Me" from her album Tree, and accompanied by Libera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_QxyqDixoY&t=2s (Song Between You and Me/Hiroko Yakushimaru and Libera/1-24/5:00)

The song is yet another composition by Takatsugu Muramatsu, whose music Libera has frequently recorded. ("Angel," "Song of Life," "For the Future," "Kizuna," "Home," and others.) Patrick (fan_de_LoK) of the Libera Passion site provided a key to the lineup of boys.

The photo also produced clear images of the group's four newest boys:

Edward Sargeant

Theo Wilson

Lewis Pearson

Gabriele Marini

On January 1st, fan luckdragon discovered an interesting anomaly on YouTube: Libera featured singing in the background of—a sensuous Japanese lipstick ad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ifqJjUNiKA&t=26s (Precious are the Lips/I Hope Kanebo Live With Rouge/January, 2024/1:00)

Patrick Fandelok provided the lyrics, and one of the boys apparently provided the spoken tagline at the end. 

Libera's music has been featured in advertisements for years, but this may have been one of the most unusual instances.

0:28 : Precious are the lips
0:30 : that speak unto the world from your heart
0:33 : Brightest of them all,
0:34 : you’ll shimmer and dazzle like a star
0:37 : Precious are the lips
0:39 : that do not hide away who you are
0:43 : Riding over every age
0:45 : Stronger each and everyday
0:47 : Oh, beautiful and free
0:49 : Saying what you mean
0:50 : Tell us what tomorrow brings
0:51 : Precious are the lips
0:53 : that speak unto the world from your heart

On February 5th. it was noted that Libera's recording of "Ave Verum" (Adagio in G Minor) by Tomaso Albinoni, and with solo by Freddie Mushrafi, had received over two million hits on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprYUY9RQ_0 (Ave Verum [Adagio in G Minor) by Tomaso Albinoni/ Solo by Freddie Mushrafi/3:55)

On February 12th, an announcement and brief YouTube video from Libera:

UK CATHEDRAL CONCERTS 2024

Libera spokesboys Cory Agyei, Ben Hill, and Leon Clarke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyojO8ki5ak&t=2s (Promotional ad for Libera’s  Summer 2024 UK concerts, with Cory Agyei, Ben Hill, and Leon Clarke/:27)

We have announced summer concerts in three UK cathedrals. We are delighted to return to Ely on 8th June, and Chester Cathedral on 27th July. We will also visit Lincoln Cathedral for the first time on 30th July.

Supporters will recall that we have performed in Ely three times – in 2017, 2018 and 2022.  Our 2020 concert was postponed due to the pandemic, and instead we produced an online Mini-Concert Apart but Together.   Longer standing supporters may also remember our previous visit to Chester, in 2010.  We are delighted to return to both magnificent venues and we are also very excited to visit Lincoln for the first time.

On February 14th,  in a Valentine's Day YouTube video, Leon Clarke, Pietro Vergani, and Thomas Mushrafi announced that Libera will be performing in Japan in October of 2024.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2pu6UdzR_g (Announcement of Japan fall tour 2024, with Leon Clarke, Piwtro Vergani, and Thomas Mushrafi/:24)

LIBERA ANGEL VOICES TOUR 2024　

18:30 Tuesday, October 29 at Tokyo LINE CUBE SHIBUYA
18:30 Wednesday, October 30 at Tokyo LINE CUBE SHIBUYA
19:00 Friday, November 1 at OSAKA GRAND CUBE

In mid-February, Libera soloist Luca Brugnoli released "Parla Piu Piano," a song that he sings exquisitely in Italian.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qya5qMbdCM8 (Luca Brugnoli/Parla Piu Piano/February 2024/3:43

On March 5th, the annual Fab Chart Award nominations were announced. (Fab Chart is an informal and mildly influential British-based contest.) Libera's video for "The Lighthouse" was nominated, as was its soloist, Luca Brugnoli.

Luca is in the bottom row, second from right. He was also nominated for Best Cover Song, for his recording of "Somewhere in My Memory."

Libera

@officiallibera

Our video for The Lighthouse has been nominated for Best Music Video in the 2024

@FabChart

, and we'd love it if you could take a moment to vote for it https://fabchart.net/awards-2024.html…

Scenes from "The Lighthouse."

In early March, long-time Libera fan Yorkie discovered a gem: an AI-enhanced HD YouTube video of an early performance by Libera's earliest incarnation, the St. Philip's Boys Choir. 

In 1987, just before its adoption of the name "Angel Voices," the group appeared on a popular show hosted by TV personality Terry Wogan. From the accompanying notes:

"St Philip's Boys Choir appeared on the Wogan Show on 16th November 1987. The video has been run through AI software to improve the original quality. The two soloists are Jaymi Bandtock and Sam Harper. The song was written by Robert Prizeman and still features in the set list of Libera today."

A comparison of the 1987 video with a similar non-enhanced appearance on the TV program Pebble Mill at One in 1988.

Wogan, introducing the song, noted that it had been chosen as the anthem for that year's Children in Need telethon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZP905aXpEQ&t=7s (Sing For Ever/solos by Jaymi Bandtok and Sam Harper/Wogan/1987/HD version 2024/8:13)

On April 1st, fan Mercurial909 noted that Libera's YouTube video of "Ave Verum Corpus" (see above) had reached over 2.5 million plays.

"Ave Verum" soloist Freddie Mushrafi

In early April, several videos were posted on YouTube featuring Libera participating in a service at St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Plano, TX [?], during their 2019 US Tour. Among the selections were "Joyful, Joyful," and "The Prayer,' with Daniel White as soloist on the latter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GhosVI3cZo (Libera at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church/Joyful, Joyful/2019/4:21)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP3tKsn2Oyw (Libera at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church/The Prayer/solo by Daniel White/2019/6:28)

Another set of videos surfaced shortly afterwards, with clips of assorted films in which Libera sang on the soundtrack. This compilation shows the versatility of the group, as it includes more traditional classical-music fare than Libera usually performs. Their singing has also appeared in TV specials, Japanese films, video-game soundtracks, and commercials.

Ben Fairman, Lucas Wood, Michael Ustynovich-Repa, Ciaran Bradbury-Hickey, and Isaac London sang on the soundtrack of Le Secret.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COSi7WfppBQ&t=0s

(Libera in Movie Soundtracks; Part 2/7:33_

1. "The Blessing of the Boats," from The Merchant of Venice, 2005

2. "Vide Cor Meum," and "Dear Clarice," from Hannibal, 2001

3. "Kyrie Eleison," from Cousin Bette, 1998

4. "The Waltz of the Snowflakes," from The Nutcracker, 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRKKUMb3ybI (Libera in Movie Soundtracks; Part 1/4:33

1. "Benedictus Deus," from The Great Miracle; solo by Stefan Leadbeater, 2011

2. "Holidays Before the War," from Le Secret, 2007

3. "Bassanio's Song," from The Merchant of Venice; solo by Ben Crawley, 2005

4. "Let My Home Be My Gallows," from Hannibal, 2001

5. "Do Not Stand," from The Snow Queen; solo by Ben Crawley, 2009

From Wikipedia: Libera Movie soundtracks[edit]

• Twelve Monkeys (1995)^[32]
• Romeo and Juliet (1996)^[32]
• Cousin Bette (1998)
• Hannibal (2001)
• The Merchant of Venice (2004)
• Nobody to Watch Over Me (2008)
• The Greatest Miracle (2011)
• From the New World (novel) (2012 anime)

   • Home Alone II 

 

End of Part 17 for now