|
The Capella Brugensis formed by Patrick Peire is an ensemble made up of trained singers selected for each concert or project. The Capella Brugensis performs a broad scope of vocal music from polyphony to contemporary works, paying special attention to the particular characteristics of each period.
The ensemble is extremely fluid. It can vary in size from a quartet to a large chamber choir. The Capella Brugensis performs under the direction of Patrick Peire at home and abroad both “a cappella” and accompanied by keyboard instruments, organ, continuo or orchestra. The collaboration with the Collegium Instrumentale Brugense, also conducted by Patrick Peire, produces homogeneous and edifying performances.
In the repertoire of the choir are to be found a cappella and choral music by among others Gesualdo, Monteverdi, Heinrich Schütz, J.S. Bach, Schubert, Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn and Johannes Brahms. Striking successes include passions by J.S. Bach and Georg Philipp Telemann, oratorios by George Frideric Handel and masses by Haydn and W.A. Mozart. L.v. Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, J.S. Bach’s B minor Mass (BWV 232) and Gabriel Fauré's Requiem are other highlights in the choir’s repertoire. Gabriel Fauré's Requiem has been recently recorded on René Gailly International.
The choir has made several recordings of music by J.S. Bach: Missae Breves BWV 233-236 (Eufoda); W.A. Mozart: Solemn Vespers (Naxos), Masonic Music (Vox Temporis) and Motets and Offertories (Forlane); C.W. Gluck: Orfeo and Eurydice (Forlane); G.P. Telemann: St. John Passion (Eufoda), Fiocco, De Fesch, e.o.
The choir has been rewarded in 1996 a nomination in the category “Opera Recording” for the important American discographic Grammy Award for its participation with the Collegium Instrumentale Brugense in the opera Tancredi by Rossini recorded on the Naxos label. In the meantime a second recording has been released on this internationally distributed label; Solemn Vespers by W.A. Mozart (Naxos).
In 2000 the choir celebrated its 10th anniversary. In 2001 some large-scale projects has been programmed: in March they give three concerts in the cathedral of Oirschot (NL), in collaboration with the Dutch foundation “Stabat Mater”. Three Stabat Maters by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and P.A. Fiocco are programmed. Moreover the Stabat Mater of the latter will be a world creation and will be broadcasted on the Dutch Television (KRO). Further, choir and orchestra will undertake a concert tour in Spain with performances in the Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real in Madrid (openingsconcert of the 11th Festival of Religious Music), and in the prestigeous Palau de la Musica in Barcelona. The programme, G.F. Handel’s Messiah, will be retaken in series in three Belgian coast cities, Knokke, Nieuwpoort, De Haan and Hardelot at the French coast. |
