Plaza Caracol will host a special concert by the Austrian St. Florian Boys’ Choir on September 3 as a part of the acclaimed ensemble's international tour. More than a thousand people are expected to attend the performance, according to the event organizers: Puerto Vallarta Rotary Club, Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF), and Puerto Vallarta's Department of Culture. Tickets will cost $300 pesos per person including access to the shopping center's parking lot.

Under the direction of Franz Farnberger since 1983, the St. Florian Boys’ Choir has participated on several international tours, CD recordings and television shows. Farnberger studied music at Vienna’s University, acting as musical director with the Vienna Boys’ Choir from 1976 until 1983.

The existence of St. Florian Convent Choirboys goes back as far as 1071, when monks of the Augustiner Chorherren took over the town's monastery. Named after Saint Florian, it is one of the oldest Augustinian monasteries in the world. Many musicians have come from the ranks of this institution, most notably the composer Anton Bruckner. Until only a few decades ago, the choirboys' duties consisted solely of providing church music for the convent. But it was under former musical director Professor Hans Bachl that they went on their first concert tours abroad and successfully participated in choral competitions. (www.floriarner.at)

All the proceeds of this unprecedented concert will be donated for one of DIF’s key projects, a day care facility for senior citizens, including medical staff. A first of its kind, it is expected that this project will become a model for other cities. “We ask people to support this project, we are trying to help our beloved senior citizens when they are alone at home during the day while their relatives are out working,” said DIF President Aleyda Bravo Carbajal. To purchase tickets or get more information, please call DIF at 225-9936 or Puerto Vallarta's Culture Department at 223-0095.