The Coral Cantiga was founded in Barcelona in 1961 by Leo Massó as part of the popular and prestigious Lluïsos de Gràcia cultural association. Over the years, it has been conducted by Leo Massó himself, Oriol Ponsa, Edmon Colomer, Josep Prats and, since November 2021, by Montserrat Meneses.
Its repertoire includes a cappella pieces and many of the great symphonic-choral works from all periods and styles, which it has performed alongside renowned Catalan and foreign orchestras, such as the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra (OBC), the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Andorran National Chamber Orchestra and the Terrassa 48 Chamber Orchestra.
The Coral Cantiga has been conducted by, among other maestros, Oriol Martorell, Salvador Mas, Antoni Ros Marbà, Salvador Brotons, Edmon Colomer, Manel Valdivieso, Jordi Casas, Xavier Puig, José Rafael Pascual-Vilaplana, Trevor Pinnock, Pierre Cao, László Heltay, Johan Duijck, Fernando Eldoro, Marcos Leite, Werner Pfaff, Néstor Andrenacci, María Guinand, Dan-Olof Stenlund and Guerasim Voronkov.
It has made numerous recordings for radio and television (Catalunya Música, RNE, TVC, TVE) and has performed in Barcelona’s foremost concert halls (Palau de la Música Catalana, L’Auditori) and at several important festivals and seasons in the city (Setmana de Música Religiosa, Festival de Música Antiga, Euroconcert, Ibercàmera, Cicle Coral de l’Orfeó Català, Festival Grec, etc.). It has also performed at the Palau de la Música in Valencia, at the religious music festivals of Cuenca, Valladolid and Vitoria, at the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid and at several international festivals, in Autun, Loughborough, Namur, Almada, Strasbourg, Pécs…
In addition to its a cappella choral work (polyphony from different periods and styles) and symphonic-choral performances (masses, requiems, passions and various psalms, The Messiah, Carmina Burana, The Creation…), the Coral Cantiga has also collaborated with Maria del Mar Bonet at several concerts and in the recording of her album Amic, Amat (2004). It is also known for showcasing a more cross-cutting repertoire through collaborations with artists from the world of theatre, dance, and literature. Works such as La tonalitat de l’infinit (Casasses-Gasull), La Mar (Maragall-Guinovart), Mobília o la vita è mobile (Piti Español/Guinovart), poetic musical shows based on texts by Rilke (Since all is passing…), García-Lorca (Alma ausente), by several Catalan poets (Gent de bella anomenada) or its own productions such as Mars d’acollida? and Sons i colors del Carib form the most original part of its catalogue. It has also collaborated with the Terrassa Cultural Centre in the production of three choreographic shows with the Ballet National de France-Bordeaux (The Messiah) and Maria Rovira’s Crea Dance Company (Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Mozart’s Requiem). Notable collaborations in recent years include projects with the Barcelona Symphonic Band and the Cobla Sant Jordi, with whom it offered the programme Cor i Cobla and recorded music by Manuel Oltra, and the ensemble frequently commissions works from contemporary Spanish composers to première at its concerts.
The Coral Cantiga is a member of the Catalan Federation of Choral Entities, the European Federation Europa Cantat and the International Federation for Choral Music.
