OSESP CHOIR

Conducted for over a decade by Naomi Munakata, the Osesp Choir performs together with the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra and also gives its own concerts, in symphonic, chamber or a cappella formation. At the beginning it was known as the Symphony Choir of the São Paulo State, then it was restructured and in 2000 added to Osesp. In 12 years of activities it has developed an extensive repertoire, with works such as A German Requiem by Brahms; the Requiems by Verdi, Mozart and Penderecki; the War Requiem by Britten, Carmina Burana and Catulli Carmina by Carl Orff; Christmas Oratorio and the Passions according to St. Matthew and St. John by Bach; Choros n. 10 by Villa-Lobos; Maracatu do Chico Rei by Francisco Mignone; and Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein, besides the cycle of Italian operas by Carlos Gomes, in commemoration of the centenary of the composer’s death. Having premièred such works as Belshazzar’s Feast by William Walton and Missa Brevis by Bernstein in Brazil, it is also noteworthy for the attention it gives to the Brazilian choral repertoire.

In 1999 and 2001, the Osesp Choir received the Carlos Gomes Award for Best Choir.