The Nidaros Cathedral Boys' Choir (Chorus Puerorum Cathedralis Nidrosiensis) is a Norwegian choir in Trondheim, consisting of 76 boys and men as of spring 2008. It represents a tradition of boy and men cathedral choristers in Nidaros Cathedral stretching back almost 900 years. As of 2007, the choir is one of the leading boys' choirs in Europe and has built an international reputation through tours, performances in radio and TV, as well as numerous CD-recordings. The present artistic director and conductor is Thomas Berg-Juul. [1]
The Nidaros Cathedral Boys' Choir has been closely linked to Trondheim Katedralskole (the Cathedral School), across the street from the cathedral, for 900 years. The choir held its regular rehearsals there for many years. At the end of the 11th century Norwegian and English stone carvers came to Trondheim to build the Christ Church, the predecessor to the cathedral. In one of the chapels the stonecarvers' sons were instructed by the clergymen in Gregorian chant and liturgy, and the boys sang at masses, just like today's choir. This was the beginning of Trondheim Cathedral School and the tradition of a boys' choir in the cathedral. New classrooms were soon built near the church - probably where the school is situated today.
In 1806 the official bonds to the Cathedral School were broken. From then on the song duty was attended to by the Common Parish School, and from 1862 by the Waisenhuset school (Orphanage school) until 1905. For 22 years Trondheim had no boys' choir. But when planning the 900th anniversary of the death of St. Olav, chaplain Arne Fjellbu, later to become bishop, took the initiative to establish a new boys' choir in Trondheim.
In the autumn of 1927 Nidaros Cathedral Boys' Choir was re-established under the leadership of conductor Erik Saltnessand.
Organist Ludvig Nielsen was the conductor from 1948 to 1973.
Bjørn Moe was the conductor of the choir from 1973 to 2023. [2]
Thomas Berg-Juul took over as conductor in 2023.
Trondheim, historically Kaupangen, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. As of 2022, it had a population of 212,660 was the third most populous municipality in Norway, and was the fourth largest urban area. Trondheim lies on the south shore of Trondheim Fjord at the mouth of the River Nidelva. Among the significant technology-oriented institutions headquartered in Trondheim are the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF), the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), and St. Olavs University Hospital.
Nidaros Cathedral is a Church of Norway cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Trøndelag county. It is built over the burial site of King Olav II, who became the patron saint of the nation, and is the traditional location for the consecration of new kings of Norway. It was built over a 230-year period, from 1070 to 1300 when it was substantially completed. However additional work, additions and renovations have continued intermittently since then, including a major reconstruction starting in 1869 and completed in 2001.
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