Mozart and Music Around Mozart – Camerata Carolina

This award-winning choir from Heidelberg, Germany, is directed by Prof. Franz Wassermann. This is the 2nd concert (different repertoire) by this choir in Halifax as part of their Nova Scotia tour. Repertoire includes works by Haydn and his brother, Michael Haydn, Allegri, Leopold Mozart and J.S. Bach.

Let us explore Mozart and his surroundings! This rich body of work includes delights such as Mozart’s magnificent double-choir motet Venite populi. Prepare to be thrilled by the award-winning and internationally respected chamber choir of Heidelberg University, the CAMERATA CAROLINA (International Study Center). This musical journey of discovery will explore works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mozart`s father Leopold – born exactly 300 years ago, in 1719 –, the two brothers Michael and Joseph Haydn, Mozart’s Viennese colleagues Reutter, Hofmann, and Salieri, students of Mozart, and of Mozart’s most admired musical forebears: Gregorio Allegri with his legendary “Miserere” and Johann Sebastian Bach. Be inspired by the music of these masters, which complements the natural flow, elegance, meditative moments, and splendorous heights of Mozart’s musical language.

Admission is free but donations are welcome.

With 40 members, the chamber choir Camerata Carolina is the “little sister” of the full-size Capella Carolina, with its 115 members. Both belong to Heidelberg University’s International Study Centre. The Capella rehearses and performs a major oratorio or full-scale choral work each semester; in the summer semester of 2019 they performed Mozart’s Requiem. In contrast, the Camerata focuses on challenging a capella repertory from Gregorian chant to the present day, performing with an orchestra only from time to time. The Capella was established by Prof. Franz Wassermann in 1993, the Camerata in 1994. With its high musical standards and restriction to 35 – 40 singers, the chamber choir is a necessary and impactful counterpart to the voluminous Capella. As a musical ambassador for Heidelberg University at an international level, the Camerata frequently makes guest appearances abroad. The choir is also much sought after to provide musical adornment for special university events and other festivities.

International Appearances

The Camerata Carolina frequently undertakes successful concert tours, which have received great media attention in the past. With special programs for each occasion, these tours have taken the singers to Canada and the United States many times, including performances at Yale University. In 1994 the Camerata performed in Chile – Santiago, Valparaíso, La Serena – and in 1996 in Georgia – Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. In 1998, the choir first performed in Armenia; in 2005, they gave the Armenian premiere of Brahms’ A German Requiem, together with the choir and orchestra of the state opera in Yerevan. The choir has performed repeatedly across Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Lithuania, including a notable appearance at the 2017 Lithuanian state music festival and 2018 in Italy: Venice and Padova; numerous concert venues every year throughout Germany.

Distinctions and Awards

At the Concorso Internazionale in Riva del Garda in 2008, the Camerata Carolina was awarded the Diploma in Gold and Silver in two disciplines. At the choral contest organized by Southwest German Broadcasting in 2012, the Camerata won first place, well ahead of its competitors. The Camerata also took home a Diploma in Gold from the World Choir Games in Riga in 2014, having competed against 211 other choirs in the Open Competition.

Repertoire

The Camerata Carolina is passionately committed to the fine art of a capella singing. Critics are unanimous in their praise of the accuracy, luminosity, and warmth of the choir’s musical character. At the same time, the choir responds sensitively to the historical requirements posed by works from different epochs, performing Baroque music just as authentically as Romantic and modern works. The Camerata is noted for championing little-known works, like the motets of Bernhard Klein and Otto Nicolai, and is also an unswerving advocate and exponent of contemporary music. The chamber choir has also performed the following works with soloists and orchestras: J. S. Bach’s B-Minor Mass, Christmas Oratorio and St. John Passion; J. Haydn’s Stabat Mater; various masses and litanies by W. A. Mozart; J. Brahms’ German Requiem; A. Dvořák’s Mass in D major; and A. Ramírez’s Misa Criolla and Navidad Nuestra.

CD Recordings

J. S. Bach, Mass in B minor / J. S. Bach, St. John Passion / 500 Years of Sacred Music / A. Ramírez, Misa Criolla and Navidad Nuestra / J. Rutter, Magnificat / Sacred Music from Vienna / Northern Lights and Dream Songs.

The Conductor

The conductor of the Camerata Carolina and the Capella Carolina, Prof. Franz Wassermann, is musical director at Heidelberg University. He received his musical education in Karlsruhe, Rome, Stuttgart, and Trossingen, from a variety of instructors and mentors including Helmuth Rilling and Karl Böhm. Wassermann has been in charge of the concert choir Capella Carolina, the chamber choir Camerata Carolina, and the vocal ensemble since their founding. He teaches at Heidelberg University and as a visiting professor in Canada, the USA, Chile, Georgia, Armenia and Italy. Much revered for his prowess and experience as a choral and orchestral conductor and as a solo organist, he is guest conductor of the Georgian State Philharmonic Orchestra of Kutaisi, the Armenian State Opera in Yerevan and the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra Kaunas.
Prof. Wassermann is Vice President of the Artistic Council of German Concert Choirs (VDKC)

www.capellacarolina.de