Born: 1860 - Lausanne, Switzerland

Founded in 1860, the Union Chorale de Lausanne (= UCL) was initially a choir of men directed by famous conductors, including Hermann Lang, Carlo Hemmerling and Robert Mermoud to nane only the last in the line. This organization counted then up to 150 singers. In December 1943, a "matrimonial" convention was signed between the Choeur de Dames de Lausanne and the UCL, which made it possible for these two ensembles to meet for performing the big oratorio works. In October 1982, the two choruses amalgamated to form the current mixed choir.

In 1986 Chistophe Gesseney took again the direction of the choir and gave it fresh impulse. By making it work a-cappella" he has prepared it to sing the big works of the choral repertoire, with instruments and soloists. Johannes-Passion (BWV 245) by J.S. Bach, performed in 1993, will have been the outstanding work which defined the orientation and style that the UCL currently continues and deepens.

An exchange with a choir of Hamburg gave the UCL the opportunity to to sing Jephte by G. Carissimi at the Cathedral of Lausanne in 1993 as well as in in Hamburg at the beginning of 1994. Back to J.S. Bach, the choir presented, at the end of 1994, Weihnachts-Oratorium (BWV 248) then in spring 1996, theatrical Messa di Gloria by G. Puccini as well as Psalm 95 by F. Mendelssohn, in collaboration with the Ensemble Choral de la Côte. In December 1997, the UCL, accompanied by the prestigious ensemble La Fenice performed Vêpres de la Vierge by C. Monteverdi. In March 1999, the Requiem of W.A. Mozart aswell as Tibi Gloria Dominates by D. Gesseney-Rappo.

In February 2000 at the Cathedral of Lausanne, the UCL performed Elias by F. Mendelssohn, accompanied by the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. In December 2000 concert at the Cathedral of Lausanne, The Creation by J. Haydn. In September 2001, at the event of the concerts of good-bye to the organ of the Cathedral of Lausanne and of tour to Catalonia, the Requiem by Maurice Duruflé with the Ensemble Vocal Euterpe and the Ensemble Choral de la Côte and a Catalan orchestra. Friday April 19, 2002 first concert of the Choeur Vivace de Lausanne in the room Paderewski, Lausanne, Carmina Burana by Carl Orff and Sonafonia a composition by Antoine Auberson.

In December 2001, the Union Chorale de Lausanne changed name and beccame Choeur Vivace.

Source: Choeur Vivace de Lausanne Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (February 2005)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (February 2005)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Christophe Gesseney

Choir

BWV 17, BWV 245, BWV 248

Links to other Sites

Choeur Vivace (Official Website) [French]

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