Classical Hawaiian?

Yep, and you can hear it free. The Rose Ensemble, a unique vocal and instrumental group, is presenting a free concert, “The Last Queen of Hawai’I,” on Sunday afternoon at Landmark Center in St. Paul, which is where the group makes its home.

The 1 p.m. program, I’ve been told, includes ancient chants, missionary hymns, Victorian parlor songs and even some music composed by the last monarchs of the island kingdom.

Traditional chants at the Basilica of St. Mary
A different free concert also is being presented next Sunday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis — this time focusing on traditional chants and other church music.

If you decide to take in either of these concerts, you’re in for an experience. The Rose Ensemble, which performs internationally and posts a long list of laudatory reviews, specializes in ancient music from different cultures. It’s a small group of exquisite voices and unusual talents. You can learn more about them and hear them perform here. Or check out their CD archive here, where you can sample some music (including Hawaiian) and discover the meaning of their billing: “Reawakening the Ancient.”