Dresdner Kreuzchor

The Dresdner Kreuzchor (The Boy's Choir of the Kreuzkirche in Dresden) is one of the oldest and most famous boys’ choirs in the world. Its history goes back to the first mention of the city of Dresden in the early 13th century.

Eine der wichtigsten Aufgaben der Kruzianer ist auch nach über 800 Jahren, in den liturgischen Diensten der Kreuzkirche am Dresdner Altmarkt zu singen. Hier tritt der Dresdner One of the most important tasks of the Crucians (as the Kreuzchor singers are known), even after more than 800 years, is to sing in the liturgical services of the Kreuzkirche in Dresden’s Altmarkt. The Dresdner Kreuzchor performs here at vespers and church services, and regularly gives concerts with outstanding pieces of sacred music. They form the core of the repertoire and are an expression of the choir’s Christian humanist character. In addition to leading soloists, key artistic partners include the Dresden Philharmonic and the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Saxon State Orchestra Dresden). The Dresdner Kreuzchor also works with early music ensembles such as the Freiburger Barockorchester (Freiburg Baroque Orchestra) and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin (Academy for Early Music Berlin). The Dresdner Kreuzchor’s repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to premières of contemporary works. Its extensive artistic work is documented in numerous recordings.

Neben seiner prägenden Funktion für das musikalische Leben in Dresden geht der städtisch getragene Chor seit nahezu 100 Jahren auf Reisen durch Deutschland und über In addition to its influential role in musical life in Dresden, the city-based choir has been travelling across Germany and beyond European borders to Israel, Canada, Japan, South America, Korea, China and the USA for almost 100 years. It has represented the Saxon state capital as its oldest cultural institution on almost all continents and most recently made its début at the Shanghai International Arts Festival and at the Salzburg Easter Festival, appearing at the latter together with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden. The choir singers are also regularly engaged as soloists for opera roles.

The Crucians attend the Evangelisches Kreuzgymnasium, one of the oldest schools in Germany, until they graduate from high school. Many Crucians live in the neighbouring Alumnat, the choir’s boarding school. In addition to normal school life, the singers, who are aged between nine and eighteen, receive individual singing and instrumental lessons. Their intensive rehearsal work and the unique magic of the boys’ voices form the foundation for the international fame of the Dresdner Kreuzchor.

Source: kreuzchor.de