Decca Records, which has as its parent company Universal Music Group, pursued a deal with the Benedictine community of the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de l’Annonciation (Abbey of Our Lady of the Annunciation) in Le Barroux, near Avignon, France.
The community was chosen out of a selection of 70 convents worldwide for its superior singing of Gregorian chant.
The abbess said, «We never sought this; it came looking for us.»
She continued: «At first we were worried it would affect our cloistered life, so we asked St Joseph in prayer.
«Our prayers were answered, and we thought that this album would be a good thing if it touches people’s lives and helps them find peace.»
The community of 28 nuns sings the Gregorian chant eight times every day.
The contract deal was negotiated through the cloister grille, and the community will take charge of any photography or video required for advertising.
Decca plans to release the album, «Voice: Chant From Avignon» in November.
