Gents Madrigaalkoor

The Gents Madrigaalkoor was established in 1966 as a group of 20 young singers; Johan Duijck was appointed conductor in 1973. In contrast to the fashion at that time for small renaissance and baroque ensembles he built the choir up into a big romantic choir. Gradually the Gents Madrigaalkoor has established a unique place in the cultural life of Flanders.

The choir's repertoire is built around three main themes.

1. Romantic Music: Works such as Der Stern von Bethlehem (Joseph Rheinberger), Fest- und Gedenksprüche (Johannes Brahms), Songs of Farewell (Sir Hubert Parry), Psalms and Motets (Felix Mendelssonh-Bartholdy) enable the choir to display a rich and varied sound.
2. Modern Music: The choir has attained international recognition for first performances of more than twenty choral works of the most well known contemporary Flemish composers: Rosseau, Roelstraete, Nees, Coryn, Schollaert, Duijck, Pieters, Budai. Many of these works were composed especially for the Gents Madrigaalkoor.
3. Important accompanied choral works: Händel (Dixit Dominus, Coronation Anthems, Alexander’s Feast, Israel in Egypt), Haydn (Schöpfung, Paukenmessse, Nelsonmesse), Mozart (Requiem, Mass in c), Stravinsky (Les Noces), Britten (War Requiem, St. Nicolascantate, Cantata Misericordium), Glass (Choir Symphony), Coryn (Winds of Dawn, Deux mille regretz), Duijck (el Camino del Alma, Dixit Dominus)

Since 1972 the choir has sung in the highest category of choirs in East Flanders (Belgium). It was awarded first prize in the national singing competition held by RTBF (broadcaster of the French community in Belgium). The choir gives about ten concerts a year and makes regular tours - England, Spain, Portugal, Hungary ... In 1997 it was appointed Cultural Ambassador for Flanders. In 2000 Coryn's work Deux mille regretz, a commission from the Gents Madrigaalkoor, was recognised by the European Federation of Young Choirs, Europa Cantat, for its originality. In 2002 the choir took part in the "Koor van het Jaar" competition and won the title of Choir of the year.