Szent László Choir of Oradea Cathedral

Oradea, Romania

Kristófi János conductor


About


A choir and an orchestra were founded in Oradea following the order by the Austrian emperor, and on 10th January 1723 debuted at the opening and blessing of the Oradea Cathedral. For more than 295 years the choir sang at the Sunday Latin mass, and this tradition is continuing to these days. In 1992 the choir was named after the founder of the diocese. Michael Haydn, Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf and Kersch Ferenc are just a few of the famous conductors who have served here. In the choirs' repertoire you can find Gregorian, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary works. In 1993 as part of a German concert tour, they performed with great success in the Bamberg and the Passau Cathedrals. They held many concerts throughout Europe: 2014 Salzburg and Passau, 2016 Kosice etc. Kristófi János became the conductor in 2011.

János Kristófi (b. 1965) has been the organist of the Roman-Catholic Cathedral since 1987. After finishing his university studies at Liszt Ferenc Music Academy, he started his teaching career at the Partium Christian University, where he is full time professor.

Oradea, famous for its thermal springs, lies in the North-West of Romania. It was founded in the 11th c. by St. King Ladislaus I of Hungary. Destroyed in the 17th c. by wars, it was rebuilt in the 18th c. The Cathedral and the Bishop's palace are in Baroque style. In the 20th c. the Art Nouveau style flourished here.




Repertoire


Title Composer Lyrics
SACRED
Alleluia – Megszentelt nap
(Alleluia – A day made holy dawns upon us)
Gregorian chant
Exsurge Domine
(O Lord, and let not man be strengthened)
Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Ave verum corpus
(Hail the true body)
William Byrd (1539-1623) Innocent Pope
(14th Century)
Jubilate Deo
(O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands)
Orlandus Lassus (1532-1594) Psalm 100