Orfeon Académico de Coimbra (O.A.C.) is the oldest and one of the most famous academic

choir A choir ( ), also known as a chorale or chorus (from Latin ''chorus'', meaning 'a dance in a circle') is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words ...

s in

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

. It was established in 1880 by the then

University of Coimbra The University of Coimbra (UC; , ) is a Public university, public research university in Coimbra, Portugal. First established in Lisbon in 1290, it went through a number of relocations until moving permanently to Coimbra in 1537. The university ...

's law student João Arroio, with the name ''Sociedade Choral do Orpheon Académico''. It is one of the eight autonomous organizations of the ''

Associação Académica de Coimbra The Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC) is the students' union of the University of Coimbra (UC). Founded in Coimbra on November 3, 1887, it is the oldest students' union in Portugal. It is also the biggest Portuguese students' union belongin ...

''. Traditionally, most members have been students of the

although there is no requirement of studying at the university to be able to join the choir. However, OAC still represents

Coimbra Coimbra (, also , , or ), officially the City of Coimbra (), is a city and a concelho, municipality in Portugal. The population of the municipality at the 2021 census was 140,796, in an area of . The fourth-largest agglomerated urban area in Po ...

's Praxe and traditions. It is an internationally famous choir, and represents an important role in Portugal's musical evolution, including one of the most important schools of '' Fado de Coimbra'', a unique type of Portuguese ''

fado Fado (; "destiny, fate") is a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon, Portugal, but probably has much earlier origins. Fado historian and scholar Rui Vieira Nery states that "the only reliable information on the history of fado ...

''. The choir has recorded music for radio and LP,Schwann record & tape guide - 1966 Page 161 Bartholomew: Shenandoah (Heath. Yale University Glee Club); Kenins:Bon homme (Barnes, University of Toronto Chorus); Portuguese Folk Dance: Vira (Raposo Marques, Orfeón Académico de Coimbra) ortugal/ref> released a CD ''Orfeon Académico de Coimbra "cantando espalharei por toda a parte..."'' (the title is quote from Luís Vaz de Camões).

References

External links

Orfeon Académico de Coimbra official websiteOs 130 anos do Orfeon Académico de Coimbra
{{DEFAULTSORT:Orfeon Academico de Coimbra Coimbra Academic Association Portuguese choirs Fado Musical groups established in 1880 1880 establishments in Portugal

See also

References

External links