Asturias Choral Landscape

Asturias, officially called Principality of Asturias, but simply Asturias for most of us, is a little Region of Spain, situated in the North Green Coast. Asturias has w a Celtic background and more in common with Irish music than with Flamenco music. 

Just as an example, we perform our music with bagpipes, a little different than Scottish ones, but very similar. (as pictured at the left)

We share many features with most of the Cantabric Coast of Spain (all the north coast, bordered by the Europe Picks). And not only the difference in weather, typical food and traditional instruments and rhythms, but also the very artistic and communal choral heritage.

Asturias has only 1 million inhabitants (50% of which live in the 2 most populated cities). Nevertheless, we account for more than 700 groups and orchestras on the classical music scene.

Talking about Choirs, and according to the Asturias Choral Federation, nowadays there are 150 Choirs registered as such in their organization. And all of them are performing and active. Not a bad number, if you consider that this Institution started in 1974 with only 14 groups in its files. This Federation organizes each year the "Axuntábense" prices, which value adult choirs as well as school choirs and also people and institutions who support the choral activity.

Asturias owns an Official Superior Conservatory of Music in Oviedo, as well as many Conservatories and Municipal Music Schools all around the region. Just in these official and public schools we have more than 6000 students each year. On top of them, we have a huge number of private Music Schools.

Escolanía de Covadonga is a very important and famous School for Singers and Musicians, and is the Music and General School of the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Covadonga, Patron saint of Asturias and very venerated among the Asturias population. This School hosts some 40 students during all Primary and Secondary School, and teaches them Music and Choral Studies with professional teachers. Most students then become Music Professionals and Choir Directors or Members, raising the music level in our region.

Among the most important choirs of Asturias we present the following ones:

“Prince of Asturias Foundation Choir”: the biggest one in Asturias, and the most prestigious internationally. In the Foundation there are another 2 choirs: the Youth Choir, and the Children’s Choir. The Foundation organizes each year the “International Music School”, internationally famous, and a wonderful meeting point for musicians from all around the world.

“Camerata Revillagigedo”: dates back to 1993, they perform 20th century repertoire which is their mark of distinction.

“El León de Oro”: the high quality of this ensemble has been rewarded with more than 20 prices all around the world. It has been proposed for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, in which it regularly performs. Many of the 38 singers are Choir Directors themselves."Cuarteto Torner": a 4 male singer ensemble, which has recorded 19 records and has performed over 1800 times in their 30 years of history.

“Coro Capilla Polifónica Ciudad de Oviedo”: starting in 1970, this 60 voice ensemble usually performs in the Official Season of Zarzuela (Opereta) in Oviedo. They also tour internationally as well as in Spain, and accompany Opera as well.

“Coro Ópera de Oviedo”: as its name states, their main purpose is to perform in the important Opera season of the city of Oviedo.