Coro de Radio Nacional de España

The RTVE Choir is the oldest professional choir in Spain and is considered one of the best choral ensembles in the country. Its repertoire spans from early religious and secular works to contemporary titles by both national and international composers, including numerous premieres.

Founded in 1950 under the name “Los Cantores Clásicos,” it was directed by Roberto Plá until 1952 when it transformed into the “Coro de Radio Nacional,” under the direction of Odón Alonso until 1958. Alberto Blancafort then took over as the director. Subsequent directors included Pedro Pírfano, Pascual Ortega, Jordi Casas Bayer, Miguel Amantegui, Alberto Blancafort as Guest Director, Laszlo Heltay, Mariano Alfonso, Josep Vila, and again Jordi Casas Bayer until August 2013. From 2015 until January 1, 2019, the titular director was Javier Corcuera Martínez, followed by Juan Pablo de Juan and Lorenzo Ramos. Since September 1, 2021, Marco Antonio García de Paz has been the titular director of the RTVE Choir. Contralto Alla Zaikina currently serves as the assistant director of the RTVE Choir.

Among its awards, the RTVE Choir received the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Award in 2014, granted by the Ministry of Health, Social Services, and Equality. The RTVE Choir was distinguished with the Bravo! Award in 2016 in the music category, awarded by the Spanish Episcopal Conference. The RTVE Symphony Orchestra and Choir received an honorary award in 2017 from the Week of Religious Music in Cuenca for the defense and dissemination of religious music. It was also honored with the Extraordinary Golden Antenna by the Federation of Associations of Radio and Television of Spain (2015) and the Special Iris Award (2015) from the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Television for its fifty years of brilliant professional trajectory and its contribution to Spanish musical culture.

Prominent singers such as Teresa Berganza, Isabel Penagos, Teresa Tourne, and Pedro Lavirgen have been part of its teaching staff. The RTVE Choir’s recording of Tomás Luis de Victoria’s “Oficio de Difuntos” for Decca received an award from the French Academy of Music. In the year 2000, the RTVE Choir commemorated its 50th anniversary with extraordinary concerts and a discographic edition featuring historical recordings.

Source: RTVE