Cantus Laetus de Genève
Cantus Laetus de Genève is a mixed chamber choir of around thirty singers. Founded by Henri Paychère in 1966, it was directed by Jean-Marie Curti from 1974 to 1994 and by Natacha Casagrande since 1995. The choir is a member of the Fédération des choeurs genevois and AGECO.
It performs a repertoire ranging from the Baroque to the 21st century, a cappella, with piano, organ or various instrumental ensembles, such as L'Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, Musica Poetica d'Annecy and the Ensemble Baroque du Léman.
Particular attention is paid to exploring original works from the choral repertoire, little known to the general public, such as the Requiems by A. Campra and J. D. Zelenka, the Oratorio Belshazzar by G. F. Haendel, Ode to death and Seven part songs by G. Holst, the Missa brevis by Z. Kodàly, P. Hubert's Messe op.13 and Fanny Mendelssohn's Faust.
But he also sings the great works of the repertoire, such as Mozart's and Fauré's Requiem, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and, on the occasion of his 40th birthday, G. F. Handel's famous Messiah, in which he received a standing ovation at Victoria Hall.
