Chorus of Charles University in Prague

The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but the most difficult to play.

— Richard Strauss

About our chorus

The Chorus of Charles University in Prague comprises enthusiastic students and a small number of recent Charles University graduates, and increasingly our ranks are enhanced by international singers on the Erasmus programme. In addition, our Chorus frequently performs alongside some fine professional soloists, including singers from the Opera of the National Theatre in Prague and from the Opera of the F. X. Šaldy Theatre in Liberec, amongst others.

Repertoire

We are particularly fortunate in enjoying the luxury and inspiration of having our own Orchestra. Our repertoire is therefore very wide, embracing works such as Monteverdi’s six-voice Magnificat from the Vespers of 1610, excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Creation, the Stabat Mater, Te Deum and Mass in D by Dvořák, Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, as well as the traditional Jan Jakub Ryba Czech Christmas Mass (which we perform annually). We also enjoy performing smaller a cappella works – a recent example being Poulenc’s Chansons Françaises, numerous Czech folksong arrangements, and a wealth of Christmas Carols from all over the world.

The pleasures of music-making

We rehearse on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., occasionally extending the session for a further couple of hours to rehearse with Orchestra, and also enjoy weekend workshops twice each semester. The advantage of a smaller choir such as ours is the fact that every member can make an impact. Rehearsals take place in a very friendly and supportive atmosphere, and a feeling of fellowship arises out of the joint effort towards our common goals of performing beautiful choral music to the very best of our ability. Our chorus-master’s enthusiasm is infectious, and his vision, energy and humour enhance the pleasure of making music, in rehearsal as well as in performance.

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