Role

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Ensemble

 

Coro dell'EIAR, also known as the EIAR Choir, was a prominent classical music ensemble in Italy during the mid-20th century. The choir was founded in 1931 by the Italian national radio broadcasting company, EIAR (Ente Italiano per le Audizioni Radiofoniche), which later became RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana). The founding of the choir was part of a larger effort by EIAR to promote and support Italian music and culture. The choir was initially led by conductor and composer Ildebrando Pizzetti, who served as its artistic director until 1939. Under Pizzetti's leadership, the choir quickly gained a reputation for its high level of musicianship and its commitment to performing Italian choral music. After Pizzetti's departure, the choir was led by a series of distinguished conductors, including Antonio Guarnieri, Giuseppe Zelioli, and Bruno Maderna. These conductors continued to build on the choir's reputation for excellence, and the choir became known for its performances of both traditional and contemporary choral music. One of the highlights of the choir's early years was its performance of Pizzetti's opera "Assassinio nella cattedrale" (Murder in the Cathedral) in 1939. The performance was broadcast live on radio and was widely praised for its musical and dramatic qualities. During World War II, the choir continued to perform despite the difficult circumstances. In 1943, the choir gave a concert in Rome to celebrate the 10th anniversary of EIAR's founding. The concert was attended by many prominent figures in Italian culture and was seen as a symbol of hope and resilience during a difficult time. After the war, the choir continued to thrive under the leadership of conductor Giuseppe Zelioli. In 1950, the choir won first prize at the International Choral Competition in Arezzo, Italy. This was a significant achievement for the choir and helped to cement its reputation as one of the finest choral ensembles in Italy. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the choir continued to perform and record extensively. The choir's repertoire included works by Italian composers such as Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini, as well as works by contemporary composers such as Stravinsky and Britten. One of the choir's most notable performances during this period was its 1955 performance of Verdi's "Requiem" at the Salzburg Festival. The performance was conducted by Herbert von Karajan and featured a stellar lineup of soloists, including Maria Callas and Giuseppe Di Stefano. The performance was widely praised and helped to further raise the choir's international profile. In the 1970s, the choir underwent a period of transition as many of its longtime members retired or passed away. However, the choir continued to perform and record under the leadership of conductor Roberto Gabbiani. In 1978, the choir gave a performance of Verdi's "Requiem" at the Vatican to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the composer's death. The performance was attended by Pope John Paul II and was seen as a fitting tribute to one of Italy's greatest composers. Despite its many achievements, the choir eventually disbanded in the 1980s due to financial difficulties and changing cultural tastes. However, the legacy of the EIAR Choir lives on through its many recordings and performances, which continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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