Coro dell’Opera di Parma
Performs on:
Pursueing a centuries-old choral tradition firmly rooted in this city, the Opera Choir of Parma stems from the need to create a team that brings together chorus artists with excellent musical preparation and, at the same time, an extraordinary ability to work on the stage. The choral ensemble is characterized by a marked flexibility of the staff, consisting of a number of players ranging from thirty to ninety - and even more for the great symphonic repertoire. The repertoire includes the main works of the nineteenth century, even in their original language, and some of the most important productions of the symphonic repertoire.
It has taken part in numerous opera productions in the main Italian theaters, meeting with unanimous approval from the public and critics. In 2009, the collaboration with the Italian Philharmonic Orchestra led to a recording of Cavalleria Rusticana, and in the same year it successfully dealt with the K317 Coronation Mass by W.A.Mozart, performed in Milan and in other important theaters. Once again in Milan, it took part in the Assassinio nella Cattedrale production, as well as in concerts with the tenor Andrea Bocelli. In 2011, it took part in the opera Matilde di Canossa, conducted by Maestro Stefano Giaroli at the Teatro "Valli" in Reggio Emilia, and later took part in the recording of the opera Storia di una Capinera, featuring music by Gianni Bella. Once again in 2011, it performed an opera concert in the prestigious KKL Hall in Lucerne, one of the most important concert venues in Europe, Nabucco for the Music Association "Ripatransone Opera Leonis Festival" conducted by Maestro Stefano Romani, and in December of the same year, in Milan, the IX Sinfonia by L.Van Beethoven, and La Boheme in Fidenza conducted by Fabrizio Cassi for the restoration of the sound booth. In 2012, it performed the Messa di Requiem with the Orchestra Coccia of Novara at various Italian cathedrals, Rigoletto at the Teatro Cavour of Imperia, Ivrea, Rovereto and in Roncole Verdi, as well as Carmen at the Teatro Cantero of Chiavari. In 2013, it took part in the Noli Musica Festival with a concert by Verdi's choirs conducted by Maestro Martino Faggiani. In the same year, conducted by Maestro Marcello Rota, it also took part in the opera La Traviata, staged in front of the birthplace of Maestro Giuseppe Verdi, in Roncole Verdi. In November of the same year, it also took part in the opera Jerusalem by Giuseppe Verdi in the full edition staged by the Teatro Magnani of Fidenza. In 2014, it took part in the opera Tosca in the re-opening after the earthquake of the Teatro Sociale di Carpi. Also in 2014, it took part in the opera L'Elisir d'Amore seen by Botero at the Teatro Verdi in Busseto, alongside artists such as Michele Pertusi, Eva Mei and Celso Albelo. In June 2014, it performed an opera concert, conducted by Maestro Martino Faggiani, on the Island of Elba, in a unique and rare scenario: the Ginevro Mine, namely the most important event within the celebrations of the Napoleonic Bicentennial. Other productions are Madama Butterfly in Pordenone, La Vedova Allegra at Forte di Rivoli, L'Elisir d'Amore in Carrara, La Boheme at the Teatro dei Marsi and at Teatro Caniglia, La Vie Parisienne at the Teatro Comunale in Bolzano, Madama Butterfly at the Teatro Magnani di Fidenza, and The Princess of Czardas at the Teatro di Udine. It also recorded some other operas, such as Turandot, Tosca, La Traviata, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, L'Elisir d'Amore. In Europe, the Opera Choir of Parma has taken part in numerous opera festivals in recent years, including, to name a few, the International «Salon de Provence» Festival, the Locarno Festival, the «La Perla» Festival in Zurich. For several years, it has taken part in the opera seasons of Roncole Verdi, in front of the Maestro's birthplace. Subsequently, it performed the Messa di Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi in the Cathedral of Como. For three years, it has taken part in the important «Magnetic Festival», staging summer opera productions at the Ginevro Mine of Capoliveri - Isola d'Elba. In 2015, the Opera Choir of Parma was called by Giovanni Allevi to record the song «O generosa», which from September has become the official anthem of the Italian football league of the highest series. The collaboration with Maestro Allevi has continued later with live concerts in Rome, Turin and Milan. In Milan, it has also recorded an unpublished song, «Sotto lo stesso cielo», which will be performed later at the "Verdi" Auditorium, without forgetting the participation in important RAI broadcasts. At the same time, it has continued his opera activity with the participation in important opera and concert productions, such as the Messa di Gloria by Pietro Mascagni performed in the Cathedral of Carpi, on the occasion of the reopening after the severe damage following the earthquake. This was followed by Norma's productions at the Teatro Magnani in Fidenza conducted by Maestro Valerio Galli, Carmen in the theaters of the Abruzzo region, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Boheme conducted by Maestro Stefano Giaroli, and Nabucco in the Reggia di Colorno. Then, in August, it took part in the eleventh «Salon de Provence» Opera Festival, Il Barbiere di Siviglia at the Tower of Castruccio of Massa Carrara, and in November the Mass of the Coronation K317 by Mozart in the Cathedral of Siena. Subsequently, the lyrical season of Fidenza and Bolzano, Tosca in the Theaters of Avezzano and Sulmona, Nabucco and Cavalleria Rusticana at the Giuditta Pasta Theater in Saronno, Il Barbiere di Siviglia at the Paganini Auditorium in Parma conducted by Maestro Agiman, Madama Butterfly at the Teatro Sociale in Carpi. Some upcoming engagements will be Rigoletto and Il Trovatore at the Reggia di Colorno, the Festival of Elba Island, Madama Butterfly at the «Orizzonti» Festival, Turandot in Piacenza, and the «Salon de Provence» Opera Festival. The choir has been led by various conductors, such as Emiliano Esposito, Fabrizio Cassi, Marco Faelli and Martino Faggiani.