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Ensemble

 

The Dresden Singakademie is a renowned classical music choir based in Dresden, Germany. Founded in 1807, the choir has a rich history of performing choral works from various composers, including Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven. The Dresden Singakademie was established by Johann Gottlieb Naumann, a composer and conductor who was also the director of the Dresden Court Opera. Naumann was inspired by the choral traditions of England and wanted to create a similar choir in Dresden. He recruited singers from the city and surrounding areas, and the choir quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances. In the early years of the choir, the repertoire consisted mainly of sacred music, including cantatas, oratorios, and masses. The choir also performed secular works, such as operas and operettas. Naumann remained the director of the choir until his death in 1801, after which the choir went through several changes in leadership. One of the most significant periods in the history of the Dresden Singakademie was during the tenure of Julius Otto Grimm, who served as the choir's director from 1847 to 1883. Grimm was a composer and conductor who was known for his innovative approach to choral music. Under his leadership, the choir expanded its repertoire to include works by contemporary composers, such as Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Brahms. During this time, the Dresden Singakademie also became known for its performances of large-scale choral works, such as Bach's St. Matthew Passion and Handel's Messiah. The choir's performances were highly acclaimed, and it became one of the most respected choral ensembles in Germany. In the early 20th century, the Dresden Singakademie continued to thrive under the direction of Fritz Reuter, who served as the choir's director from 1907 to 1933. Reuter was a composer and conductor who was known for his interpretations of Bach's choral works. He also expanded the choir's repertoire to include works by contemporary composers, such as Stravinsky and Schoenberg. During World War II, the Dresden Singakademie suffered significant losses, with many of its members killed or injured during the bombing of Dresden in 1945. However, the choir was able to rebuild in the post-war years, and it continued to perform under the direction of several different conductors. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Dresden Singakademie became known for its performances of works by East German composers, such as Paul Dessau and Hanns Eisler. The choir also performed works by contemporary composers from other countries, such as Benjamin Britten and Arvo Pärt. In the 1990s, the Dresden Singakademie underwent a period of transition, with several changes in leadership and a renewed focus on performing works from the classical repertoire. The choir also began to collaborate with other ensembles, such as the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. In recent years, the Dresden Singakademie has continued to perform at a high level, with a focus on performing works by Bach, Handel, and other composers from the Baroque era. The choir has also expanded its repertoire to include works by contemporary composers, such as John Tavener and Eric Whitacre. The Dresden Singakademie has received numerous awards and accolades throughout its history. In 2007, the choir celebrated its 200th anniversary with a series of concerts and events in Dresden and other cities in Germany.

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