In the past twenty years since its foundation, Cantemus Mixed Choir – regarded as Hungary’s National Ensemble – has developed into a decisive actor of both Hungarian and international musical life. After having won numerous international contests, the Choir was recognised by the town of Nyíregyháza (Hungary) and was invited to operate in an institutional form, which greatly facilitated the Choir’s acceptance of a growing number of invitations to perform. Today the members of the Choir work as semi-professionals when fulfilling their special mission of keeping the thousand-year-old European culture of choral music alive and of popularising Hungarian choral music worldwide.

Cantemus Mixed Choir was founded in 1998 at the request of former graduates of the Nyíregyháza-based Kodály Zoltán Primary School, who were intent to continue their dedication to music. Singers, maturing under the supervision of Dénes Szabó, acquired their special knowledge of singing in Cantemus Children’s Choir, which – based on music pedagogy developed by Hungarian music composer and pedagogue Zoltán Kodály – served as a foundation for joint professional singing. Members’ shared professional experiences, their common sound production techniques and intonational traditions gave rise to a unique musical harmony that helped the Choir achieve an internationally recognised leading status despite the fact that the Choir was composed of amateur singers. Thanks to the Choir’s great sense of music, technical expertise and high standard repertoire, the Choir was awarded several prizes and grand prizes and also achieved wins at numerous international contests including those in Budapest, Debrecen, Arezzo, Tolosa, Gorizia, Torrevieja and Cantonigros. In addition to a rising number of requests to give concerts in Europe, Cantemus Mixed Choir’s performances are in high demand in the Far East (in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan), and the number of invitations by leading Hungarian orchestras (Budapest Festival Orchestra, Budafoki Dohnányi Ernő Symphony Orchestra, Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, etc.) to perform oratorical works is also on the increase.

The Choir’s repertoire includes the widest variety of a capella choir works ranging from Renaissance madrigals, masses and motets (e.g. Palestrina, Tallis, Gesualdo, Gabrieli, etc.), through contemporary composers’ works (e.g. Busto, Arvo Part, Lauridsen, Orbán, Kocsár, Gyöngyösi, etc.) to pop music adaptations (Beatles, ABBA, etc.).

Organizer: Hungarian Academy of Arts’ Section of Music

Entry to the concert is free but you must register prior to the event.

REGISTRATION TO THE EVENT OPENS ON 11^th NOVEMBER.