Coro Allegro

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Coro Allegro is a classical chorus based in Boston, Massachusetts, that draws its members from the LGBTQ+ and allied community. It was founded in 1991.

Contents

Profile

Coro Allegro was originally founded as a chorus of gay men and lesbians who share a passion for music and has since expanded to include both members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. It remains the only organization in Boston serving to bring classical repertoire to the LGBTQ+ community, though its work appeals to a broader audience. In its first 20 years, Coro Allegro grew from just 20 singers to more than 60. [1]

Premieres and commissions

Since its founding in 1991, Coro Allegro has performed 28 world premieres, including 18 works commissioned by or for the chorus, plus an additional three American premieres and five Boston premieres. Notable premieres include:

Awards

Pinkham Award

In 2008, Coro Allegro established the Daniel Pinkham Award, which is awarded annually to an outstanding contributor to classical choral music and the LGBTQ+ community. The award is given in memory of Daniel Pinkham, the acclaimed and beloved Boston composer, musical director, and organist. [10] Award recipients include:

Collaborations

Coro Allegro regularly collaborates with other musical ensembles. Among its most notable collaborations are the performances of:

Coro Allegro has performed with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra on the Boston Common and at the Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell. [18] The chorus has also collaborated with the Back Bay Ringers, the Boston City Singers, the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Chorus Pro Musica, City on a Hill Charter School Chorus, La Donna Musicale, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Rumbarroco, Toronto Children’s Chorus, and the United Parish Chancel Choir.

GALA Choruses festivals

Coro Allegro participates in the quadrennial GALA Choruses festival. [19]

References

  1. "ArtsBoston Organization Detail: Coro Allegro". ArtsBoston. July 25, 2011. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  2. Boston Secession: Composer in Residence, accessed December 16, 2009
  3. "Charles Fussell" in International Who's Who in Classical Music 2003 (Routledge, 2003)
  4. Blue Lantern Press: Patricia Van Ness
  5. Wieting, Geoffrey (November 16, 2009). "Shofar Highlights Concert with Coro Allegro at Sanders". The Boston Musical Intelligencer. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Wieting, Geoffrey (March 29, 2019). "America/We Need to Talk". The Boston Musical Intelligencer. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  7. "2012 Chorus America Awards Announced". Chorus America. May 5, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  8. "Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming". Chorus America. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  9. "Past Award Recipients (by year granted) | Choral Arts New England". www.choralarts-newengland.org. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  10. "Pinkham Award". Coro Allegro. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  11. Weininger, David (February 22, 2008). "An award for Sylvan". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  12. Jacobs, Ethan (June 12, 2011). "Coro Allegro to honor gay bishop". Bay Windows. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  13. Boston Globe, "Elijah Affirms One's Faith in H & H," October 21, 2000
  14. Boson Globe, "This Casey Doesn't Strike Out", May 14, 2001
  15. Boston Globe, "Cecilia, Coro Allegro Find Balance With Brahms," March 19, 2003
  16. Eichler, Jeremy (October 7, 2015). "Honoring the war's end, in verse and song". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on October 10, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  17. Gellman, Lucy (March 3, 2023). "Heritage Chorale Rings In 25 Years At New Haven Museum". New Haven Arts. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  18. "BLO Brings Free Orchestral Music To Hatch Shell". East Boston Times. July 20, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  19. "GALA Choruses Member Choruses". GALA Choruses. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.