CHAMBER CHOIR CANTORES MINORES WRATISLAVIENSES

The Cantores Minores Wratislavienses chamber choir was founded by Edmund Kajdasz in 1966. It has its headquarters in the former Bernardine convent, presently the Museum of Architecture. Since 1979, it has  been an independent cultural institution (and since 1994, an institution of the municipality of Wrocław). Under the direction of its present conductor (since 1991), Piotr Karpeta, the choir was reduced to 18 singers in order to present the music of earlier epochs in accordance with current performance practice (depending on the repertoire and as needed, this structure can be expanded to as many as 70 persons, at which point it appears as the Cantores Maiores Wratislavienses). The group has now given more than 2000 concerts; it has also made over 100 radio, television and disc recordings, and performed at numerous festivals. During its foreign tours, it has visited most of the countries of Europe as well as Israel, Turkey, Mexico, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The disc Musica Claro -montana vol. 21 with works by J. Elsner, recorded in 2007, was nominated for the Fryderyk 2007 Prize. In 2008 the choir participated among others in the concerts led directed by Paul Esswood as well as during “Wratislavia Cantans” ( for the 36th time), and in 2009 at ‘Warsaw Autumn’.

PIOTR KARPETA

Choirmaster. Graduated from the Music Academy in Katowice, where he later worked as an assistant. Was choirmaster of the Opole Philharmonic for ten years, preparing several dozen concert programs (including several foreign tours), as well as recordings (including 4 LPs). Has been executive and artistic director of the Wrocław Chamber Ensemble since 1991, leading “the Choir Cantores Minores Wratislavienses” and “the Choir Cantores Maiores Wratislavienses”.
Founder and soloist of “the Ars Cantus” ensemble, as well as “Oktoich” Men’s Choir at the Orthodox Church of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Wrocław. Has performed as a conductor and singer in over 20 countries, and taken part in several dozen programs recorded by Polish Radio and Television, as well as over a dozen disc recordings.