Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

Portugal

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

The Gulbenkian Foundation Chorus, Lisbon is a renowned classical music artist that has been captivating audiences with its exceptional performances for over four decades. The choir was founded in 1964 by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, a Portuguese institution that supports the arts, science, and education. The choir's early years were marked by a focus on Portuguese music, with a particular emphasis on the works of Fernando Lopes-Graça, a prominent composer and conductor. Under the direction of conductor Michel Corboz, the choir quickly gained a reputation for its precision and musicality, and began to expand its repertoire to include works from other countries and time periods. One of the choir's early highlights was its performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor in 1971, which was widely praised for its clarity and depth of expression. This performance helped to establish the choir as a leading interpreter of Bach's music, and it has since performed many of his major works, including the St. Matthew Passion and the Christmas Oratorio. Over the years, the choir has collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors and orchestras, including Claudio Abbado, Herbert von Karajan, and Sir Simon Rattle. It has also performed at many of the world's most prestigious music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the BBC Proms. One of the choir's most memorable performances was its rendition of Verdi's Requiem in 1999, which was conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and featured soloists Angela Gheorghiu, Daniela Barcellona, Roberto Alagna, and René Pape. This performance was widely regarded as one of the finest interpretations of the work ever recorded, and it earned the choir a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance in 2001. In addition to its many performances and recordings, the Gulbenkian Foundation Chorus has also been recognized for its contributions to the cultural life of Portugal. In 1994, it was awarded the Medal of Cultural Merit by the Portuguese government, and in 2014, it was honored with the Gulbenkian Prize for Culture, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the arts and humanities. Today, the Gulbenkian Foundation Chorus continues to be a leading interpreter of classical music, with a repertoire that spans from the Renaissance to the present day. Its commitment to musical excellence and its dedication to promoting the arts have made it one of the most respected and beloved choirs in the world.

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