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Canto Classico was formed on the initiative of its founder and artistic director Willi Derungs around the turn of the year 2006-2007 in Bern. With the founding of the choir, the initiators formulated a threefold objective: firstly, the cultivation of classical singing at a high level, secondly, the special promotion of the young generation of singers, and thirdly, a commitment to concert activity on the one hand in Bern, on the other hand beyond the canton's borders. The Canto Classico association, based in Bern, aims to contribute to a varied concert life with its different line-ups, i.e. a Konzertchor (since 2006), a Vokalensemble (since 2008) and a Frauenensemble (since 2010).
By means of high-quality musical performances and thanks to attractive concert programs, Canto Classico aims to attract a large, varied and loyal concert audience. Canto Classico sees itself as a choir with a charisma that extends beyond the borders of the Bern region. Canto Classico also offers affordable training opportunities in the form of singing courses, solfège or theory courses and singing weeks. |
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The ambitious Konzertchor of Canto Classico has set itself the goal of performing demanding concert choral works and incidental music in various formations. Two to three concert projects are realized every year. For concert projects with more than 50 people singing along, the concert choir is expanded to become an event choir.
With a lively concert activity in the city of Bern and the surrounding area, Canto Classico makes a valuable musical contribution to the cultural life of the federal capital. The additional bond between Canto Classico and the city of Bern is expressed through intensive collaboration with various cultural institutions. Canto Classico also performs throughout Switzerland and in attractive concert venues such as the KKL Luern, Tonhalle Zürich, Kultur Casino Bern, Casino Basel and Victoria Hall in Geneva. Occasionally there are also concert tours abroad, such as to Italy in 2012. It is the declared aim of Canto Classico to be perceived as Bern's ambassador on its concert tours at home and abroad.
Since its inception, the Konzertchor has organized several concert projects every year with several performances of sacred or secular music in and outside of Bern. Canto Classico has so far given concerts in the Französischen Kirche, Nydeggkirche, Petruskirche and Marienkirche (all Bern), then in the Kath. Kirche Köniz, Kirche Münsingen, Kirche St. Peter in Zürich, Martinskirche Chur, Klosterkirche in Ilanz GR, Kathedrale St. Florin in Vaduz FL, further in the Kulturcasino Bern, Tohnalle Zürich, KKL Luzern, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Casino Basel, Stadttheater Langenthal, Konzertsaal Solothurn, Festsaal im Rüttihubelbad (Walkringen), Podium Düdingen, GKB-Auditorium in Chur, etc. Highlights in the choir's still young history 2012 formed the Swiss concert tour together with the world-famous mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova and the Philharmonie Baden Baden as well as the concert tour to Italy (summer 2012) with concerts in Solomeo near Perugia and in Norcia.
The Konzertchor 's repertoire is characterized by its versatility. The core repertoire of Canto Classico is the music of the Baroque and Viennese Classics, i.e. by Joseph Haydn and W.A. Mozart. This also includes composers in their environment such as Michael Haydn, Christoph W. Gluck, Franz Schubert, etc. The concert repertoire of Canto Classico, however, encompasses all epochs from the Baroque to contemporary music of the 21st century. A special characteristic of Canto Classico is the consideration of sacred music as well as the operatic and operetta repertoire. In addition to the masterpieces for choir and orchestra, lesser-known, but still interesting and significant compositions are to be performed at regular intervals. As an innovative and curious choir, Canto Classico is always open to the rehearsals of new works by contemporary composers and occasionally gives world premieres.
The following is a selection of the composers and works listed: J.S. Bach: Several cantatas; Georg Philipp Telemann: Various cantatas; Dietrich Buxtehude: Magnificat and various cantatas; H. Purcell: Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary, Christmas Cantata; C. Monteverdi: Various Psalm compositions; George Frideric Handel: As pants the hart (Chandos Antehm No. 6), O sing unto the Lord (Chandos Anthem No. 4); F.M. Benedetti: Gaudete, exulatate (Motette concertato); Tomaso Albinoni: Magnificat; Antonio Vivaldi: Magnificat RV 610, Beatus Vir RV 598, Gloria RV 588 and RV 589; Alessandro Scarlatti: Christmas cantata; Giovanni Battista Pergolesi: Confitebor tibi; B. Galuppi: Magnificat, Nisi Dominus, Dixit Dominus in G minor; Michael Haydn: Ave Regina; J. Haydn: Theresienmesse, Nelsonmesse, Paukenmesse, Salve Regina in G minor, Arianna a Naxos; W.A. Mozart: Grave music KV 42, Coronation Mass, Ave Verum, Litaniae Lauretanae KV 195; G. Rossini: Petite messe solennelle, various quartets; F. Schubert: Mass in C major, Mass in B flat major; Felix Mendelssohn: Three sacred songs op. 96; A. Dvorak: Mass in D major, Biblical songs, sounds from Moravia; Charles Gounod: Mass solennelle de Sainte Cécile; Gabriel Fauré: Requiem op.48, Maurice Duruflé: Requiem op. 9; Arvo Pärt: Berliner Messe, Cantate Domino Canticum novum, Da pacem Domine, Salve Regina in G minor; G.A. Derungs: Pater noster, Canzuns religiusas op.61; P. Huber: De Profundis; IIgor Stravinsky: Mass, Oliver Waespi (UA): Canticum.
Opera / Operetta / Musical (excerpts from arias & choirs): H. Purcell: The Fairy Queen; Ch. W. Gluck: Orpheus in der Unterwelt; W.A. Mozart: Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, Idomeneo, Die Zauberflöte; C.M.v. Weber: Der Freischütz, G. Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri, Tancredi; V. Bellini: La sonnambula, I Puritani; G. Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore, La Favorita; G. Verdi: Nabucco, Aida, Trovatore, Traviata; J. Offenbach: Belle Hélène, Orpheus aux Enfèrs, La grande Durchesse de Geroldstein; Georges Bizet: Carmen, A. Lortzing: Zar und Zimmermann; J. Strauss: Eine Nacht in Venedig; C. Zeller: Der Vogelhändler; F. Loewe: My Fair Lady; Leonard Bernstein: West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town. |
