Country

:

Italy

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

La Fenice Theater Chorus is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with its exceptional performances for over two centuries. Founded in 1792, the ensemble has become an integral part of the cultural heritage of Venice, Italy, and has established itself as one of the most prestigious choral groups in the world. The founding of La Fenice Theater Chorus can be traced back to the opening of the Teatro La Fenice, a grand opera house in Venice that was built to replace the previous theater that had burned down in 1774. The new theater was designed by architect Giannantonio Selva and was inaugurated on May 16, 1792, with the premiere of the opera "I giuochi d'Agrigento" by Giovanni Paisiello. As part of the new theater's artistic program, a chorus was established to perform in the operas and other musical productions staged at La Fenice. The chorus was initially made up of local singers and was led by the composer and conductor Antonio Salieri, who was appointed as the theater's music director in 1794. Over the years, the La Fenice Theater Chorus has undergone many changes and has been led by a number of distinguished conductors. Some of the most notable figures who have directed the ensemble include Luigi Ricci, Carlo Pedrotti, Ettore Gracis, and Claudio Scimone. Today, the La Fenice Theater Chorus is led by the conductor and composer Claudio Marino Moretti, who has been the ensemble's artistic director since 2014. Moretti has worked with some of the world's leading orchestras and has conducted numerous operas and choral works in Italy and abroad. The La Fenice Theater Chorus is made up of around 80 professional singers who are selected through a rigorous audition process. The ensemble's members come from all over Italy and are renowned for their exceptional vocal skills and musical sensitivity. Over the years, the La Fenice Theater Chorus has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The ensemble has also collaborated with some of the world's leading conductors and soloists, including Riccardo Muti, Plácido Domingo, and Daniel Barenboim. One of the highlights of the La Fenice Theater Chorus's history was its performance of Verdi's "Requiem" in 2013, which marked the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth. The concert, which was conducted by Myung-Whun Chung, was held in the Basilica di San Marco in Venice and was attended by a large audience and numerous dignitaries. Another notable performance by the La Fenice Theater Chorus was its participation in the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The ensemble performed the Russian national anthem and the Olympic hymn, accompanied by the Russian National Orchestra and conducted by Valery Gergiev. The La Fenice Theater Chorus has also received numerous awards and accolades for its outstanding performances and contributions to the world of classical music. In 2019, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Abbiati Prize, which is considered one of the most important awards in the Italian music industry. The prize recognized the La Fenice Theater Chorus's exceptional performances in the operas "La traviata" and "Don Giovanni" during the 2018-2019 season.

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