
Concentus Musicus Patavinus
Since its foundation in 1984 by musicologist Giulio Cattin, the Concentus Musicus Patavinus has promoted activities within the University of Padua by combining concerts with musical production. In addition to the choreographic-musical representation, the Concentus aims to unite people united by shared values who are eager to make music together by sharing the tradition and culture developed within the University.
Thanks to the division into different groups, the Concentus manages to cover a good part of Western musical production, from the so-called "Gregorian chant" to jazz music.
You can join the Concentus at any time of the year.
Continuous attendance at rehearsals and workshops (led by concert Maestro’s) allows students to acquire 3 CFU.
Weekly meetings between the members of the groups take place during the academic year, leading to preparation for public performances.
2024-2025 academic year
The Concentus Musicus Patavinus of the University of Padua resumes its musical activity for the 2024-2025 academic year and invites the entire university and local community to participate in the various components that make up the CMP: chamber choir, medieval singing choir, Gaudeamus choir, symphony orchestra and Big band.
Check the descriptions of the groups for info about auditions, activities, locations, and times:
Concert groups
The Chamber Choir
Composed of about twenty-four choristers, many of whom are young musicians, the Chamber Choir focuses primarily on sacred and profane Renaissance and Baroque repertoire, without neglecting contemporary music. When the performance requires the presence of instrumental ensembles, the choir relies on musicians specialized in the use of period instruments.
Founded in 1979, the Chamber Choir performs a repertoire of great value and originality. From 2000 to today, it has released four CDs, two of which contain world premiere recordings of unpublished works, contributing to the dissemination of rare and little-known pieces.
To become a member of the Chamber Choir, it is necessary to know how to read music and pass an audition.
Info: concentus@unipd.it
Social media channels:
Instagram
Facebook
Conducted by Maestro Ignacio Vazzoler
The Medieval Singing Choir
The Medieval Singing Choir of the Concentus Musicus Patavinus, directed by Maestro Massimo Bisson, drawing inspiration from the Gregorian Chant group, offers participants with basic training on the various vocal repertoires of the Middle Ages (both sacred and profane).
The choir is composed of students who have performed various concerts within the university setting as well as national festivals. Unique for Italian universities, the medieval singing choir aims to provide participants with basic literacy on the ancient vocal repertoire while addressing questions regarding the history and diffusion of songs through an in-depth study of performance and interpretative techniques.
The Medieval Singing Choir of the Concentus Musicus Patavinus resumes its activity for the 2024/25 academic year and invites students to participate.
Weekly try outs are held on Fridays from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm, in room AIS2 at Palazzo del Capitanio (piazza Capitaniato, Padova).
To participate, write an email to: massimo.bisson@unipd.it
Social media channels:
Facebook
Conducted by Maestro Massimo Bisson
The Gaudeamus Choir
The Gaudeamus Choir, originally the Coro Grande del Concentus Musicus Patavinus, is committed to bringing people closer to music in all its forms, giving them the opportunity to perform pieces from different genres and periods, ranging from the sacred to the profane to the goliardic. The repertoire includes famous pieces such as Vivaldi's Credo, Mozart's Coronation Mass and Requiem, Fauré's Requiem, Orff's Carmina Burana, Verdi's Requiem, and Cherubini's Requiem.
Over the years, the Gaudeamus Choir has collaborated with important orchestras and choirs, both nationally and internationally, while remaining true to its institutional commitments to the University. Its participation in official events such as honorary degrees and the inauguration of the academic year testifies to its presence and importance in university life.
Participation in the Choir is open to the entire academic and local community.
Rehearsal takes place every Tuesday evening from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm in classroom L at Palazzo Bo.
To join the choir, you can write an email to: concentus@unipd.it
Conducted by Maestro Ignacio Vazzoler
The Symphony Orchestra
The Concentus Musicus Patavinus Symphony Orchestra, made up of about forty musicians, is open to students and staff of the University of Padua.
Participation in the Orchestra offers the opportunity participate in an enriching musical experience, exploring a repertoire that encompasses masterpieces from the Baroque to the post-Romantic period. Over the years, works by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Dvořák and many other composers have been performed, with some forays into other musical genres, such a pieces by Franco Battiato, Giorgio Gaber, and Ennio Morricone.
Over time, the Concentus Orchestra has performed in the concert halls of Veneto, Trentino, Lombardy, while collaborating with renowned soloists, conductors, and directors.
The Orchestra welcomes musicians of all levels and experience. All instruments are welcome, especially strings (violins, violas, cellos, and double basses), oboes and horns. Wind instruments play in rotation.
Rehearsals take place every Tuesday from 8:30 pm to 11 pm at the Sala dei Giganti in Palazzo Liviano (Piazza Capitaniato, 35139 Padova.)
Any changes in venue will be communicated in advance.
To participate, write an email to: concentus@unipd.it
Social media channels:
Instagram
Facebook
Conducted by Maestro Sergio Lasaponara
Unipd Big Band
Founded in 2013 by bassist and composer Alessandro Fedrigo, the UniPd Big Band is the jazz orchestra of the Concentus Musicus Patavinus composed of students, alumni, academic faculty, and administrative staff.
The Big Band has its own well-defined formation consisting of a wind section (saxophones, trumpets, and trombones) and a rhythm section (piano, guitar, double bass, and drums).
Since its foundation, the orchestra has performed over 70 concerts, both in university settings (Science For All, Unifest, 800 years Unipd, International Jazz Day Unesco, etc.) and in national jazz festivals (Sile Jazz, Umbria Jazz, Vicenza Jazz, Jazz Area Metropolitana, Novara Jazz, etc.), with classical orchestras (Asclepio Ensemble, Nova Symphonia Patavina, Orchestra and Choirs of the Concentus Musicus Patavinus) and internationally renowned soloists (M. Polga, E. Martin, M. Morganti), and concert-lessons in local schools in collaboration with music critics (S. Merighi, E. Bettinello). Over the years, the direction has been curated by Alessandro Fedrigo (2013-19), Michele Polga (2020-21) and Franco Nesti (2022-23).
The orchestra performs a repertoire of pieces from the 1930s, including the music of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. The orchestra applies key players in the evolution of jazz such a Gil Evans, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, George Russell, Kenny Wheeler, and Maria Schneider with those who have who have left an indelible mark on jazz in the 20th century such as Frank Zappa.
Participation is open to the entire academic and city community.
Those interested please send an email bigbandunipd@gmail.com, and include personal details such as musical instrument, level of musical preparation, and relationship with the university.
Social media channels:
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
Conducted by Maestro Ettore Martin
Concentus Musicus Patavinus
For more information: concentus@unipd.it
Scientific Director: Paola Dessì - paola.dessi@unipd.it