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Founded in 1954 by Karl Richter, The Munich Bach Choir has since 2005 been directed by conductor, organist and harpsichordist Hansjörg Albrecht, under whose direction it has become celebrated for its clear and transparent sound, and for its agile, animated, historically-informed performances of Bach’s works. Recent years have also seen constant expansion of its repertoire. It works particularly closely with the Munich Bach Orchestra – with whom it recorded Enjott Schneider’s oratorio Augustinus in 2015 – and Bach Collegium München. Projects with other major orchestras and conductors include, in October 2018, its very first tour to Israel, invited by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Zubin Mehta, singing Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Uri Brener’s symphonic poem The Prophet.
Passereau tropical connu pour la richesse de son chant, Shama est en Valais une formation vocale. Le choeur interprète des pièces traditionnelles, spirituelles et grégoriennes, et met l’accent sur l’écoute, la justesse et l’interprétation. L’ensemble est emmené par la main experte de Pierre-Elie Jacquemettaz, son chef et fondateur, et s’attèle à exprimer et partager un message de joie auprès son public.
For nearly 40 years, the Oberwalliser Vokalensemble (Ensemble Vocal du Haut-Valais) has traveled throughout Switzerland and Europe under the direction of its founder, Hansruedi Kämpfen. Numerous awards in international competitions and performances at prestigious concerts quickly brought the ensemble national recognition.
Since an unexpected first victory in 1989 at the International Competition in Gorizia, OVE has regularly received awards in both national and international competitions. In 2013, it won First Prize in the Elite Category at the Swiss Choir Competition. In 2017, it claimed two prestigious awards: first, in Riga, the First Prize in the Vocal Ensemble Category at the European Choir Games, and then Third Prize (Best Western European Choir) at the International Choir Contest in Maassmechelen, Belgium.
OVE is frequently invited to perform at renowned festivals in Switzerland and abroad. Highlights include performances at the Luzern Festival alongside the Hilliard Ensemble, the Zermatt Festival under the direction of Marcus Creed and Ton Koopman, and the Verbier Festival conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, Zubin Mehta, Jesus Lopez Cobos, and Fabio Luisi.
Since its inception, OVE has explored a vast repertoire, receiving excellent reviews for its performances of Bach in smaller formations as well as Romantic repertoire. Over the past two decades, the ensemble has often premiered contemporary works, notably by Valais composers such as Eugen Meier and Andreas Zurbriggen. In 2016, OVE accepted an invitation from renowned Swiss composer Carl Rütti and premiered Mysterium Montis, a Vespers project for six alphorns, double choir, and soloists. The concerts, held in Köniz, Arlesheim, Einsiedeln, and Brig, were met with great success, each receiving a standing ovation from the audience. These performances were followed by the release of a CD and DVD. In 2018, the Oberwalliser Vokalensemble played a major role in the BrigerMusikNächte.
Since its creation in 1987, the Chœur de Chambre de Namur has championed the musical heritage of its home region while exploring the great works of the choral repertoire. It has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Peter Phillips, Christophe Rousset and Richard Egarr, and has performed at prestigious festivals across Europe.
The choir has received numerous awards for its recordings, including nominations for the Victoires de la Musique Classique, the Diapason d’Or and the Grand Prix de l’Académie Charles Cros in 2003. He has also received awards from the Académie Française and the Octaves de la Musique.
Since 2010, the choir has been under the artistic direction of Leonardo García Alarcón. Under his direction, the choir has taken part in major productions such as Cavalli’s Eliogabalo at the Paris Opéra and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas in Liège. The choir’s 30th anniversary in 2017-2018 was marked by an international tour of Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and works by Lully and Handel, with TV recordings and CD recordings.
Between 2020 and 2023, the choir expanded its repertoire to include choral works by Handel, Bach Passions and Monteverdi operas, as well as collaborations with Christophe Rousset, Julien Chauvin, Reinoud Van Mechelen and Alexis Kossenko. The choir has also tackled operetta with Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne. The Chœur de Chambre de Namur’s repertoire ranges from the Middle Ages to contemporary music, reflecting its versatility and commitment across the ages.