Choir concert Royal Singing Association. Arti Vocali. Nature sings: 'Awake!'

The sixth concert in the KOORLINK cycle 2026-2027 in Antwerp is brought by the Koninklijke Zangvereniging Arti Vocali. Koninklijke Zangvereniging Arti Vocali Op June 10, 1910, almost 120 years ago, a 40-member mixed choir was founded by Michel Lhoest sr., then-director of the Koninklijke Maatschappij for Dierkunde van Antwerpen, under the name Arti Vocali. Antwerp was immediately one cultural phenomenon richer. Edward Keurvels (the Little Devil, as he was called in Antwerp) became both conductor and general director of the singing association. He would fulfill his role as a pioneer with great merit in these socially heavily turbulent years. When in 1917 Flor Alpaerts was appointed as successor, a golden age began for the symphonic house orchestra and choir of the KMDA. Alpaerts expanded his choir to 120 members, including numerous famous soloists. In the course of his nearly 35-year musical leadership, he realized more than 50 grand manifestations, in addition to numerous ‘ordinary’ programmings. His son, Jef Alpaerts, led the choir during a transition phase of 1 year, to the beginning of a next impressive period. In 1952, the 24-year-old Hendrik Rycken took over the leadership of the by then renowned choir, which in the meantime had to miss its permanent house orchestra. This young conductor opened new horizons: there were international cultural exchanges, there was the cooperation with the Music Festival in the Zwitserse Locarno, but also with radio and TV recordings. The radiance of Arti Vocali increased even more. Toen Jan Valach in 1974 took over the conductor's baton, the choir – which in the meantime had built up a solid reputation as an oratorio and cantata performer – received a new impulse. In the Rubens year, it brought various performances of the Rubenscantate van Peter Benoit. With the support of the Alex De Vries fund, Arti Vocali reconnected with the tradition of nearly 100 years of St. Matthew Passion on Easter Saturday in Antwerp. Valach also ventured into modern works such as Porgy & Bess van George Gershwin. The diamond jubilee could not pass unnoticed in the city of diamonds. It was therefore celebrated brilliantly under the expert leadership of Herbert Janssens, choir leader of Arti Vocali since 1985. On the festive program: the complete performance of Messiah van Haendel. After 8 years of dedication, Herbert Janssens handed over the conductor's baton to Dirk De Nef in 1993. His permanent concern, musical training and perfection became an essential part of choir life. With a cappella singing, other accents were set and boundaries shifted, but large works with orchestra also remained on the repertoire. At the beginning of 2026, he passed on the conductor's baton. Arti Vocali is therefore awaiting a new permanent conductor, but in the meantime, the choir is certainly not standing still. Just look at our participation in The Armed Man in the Koningin Elisabethzaal on May 31, 2026. Music conquers, always, everywhere.