Jyväskylän naislaulajatCURRICULUM L.A. CHORUS
The L.A. Chorus, known as Lucania & Apulia Chorus, was founded in 2014 through the initiative of the Association Matera in Musica, with the support of the City of Matera, European Capital of Culture 2019. This professional choir aims to bring choral activity back as a high-level artistic project.
Under the principal direction of Maestro Antonio Alessandro Fortunato, the L.A. Chorus has had a
remarkable artistic growth path, performing over 150 concerts and collaborating with internationally
renowned conductors. The ensemble consists mainly of young talents from Basilicata, Puglia, and the entire southern Italy, allowing the choir to adapt to different sizes, from small ensembles to large symphonic choirs.
Kuva: Markku Jaatinen
Over the years, the L.A. Chorus has had the opportunity to work with important conductors, including Filippo Maria Bressan, Gianluigi Gelmetti, and John Rutter, the latter for an absolute first performance. The choir has tackled a varied repertoire, ranging from baroque music to contemporary productions, with a strong focus on enhancing Italian composers, both well-known and emerging.
Among recent projects, the choir performed Vivaldi’s Gloria in 2015 with a baroque orchestra, staged Haydn’s Paukenmesse, and participated in innovative initiatives like Christmas Experimental Music. Additionally, it has collaborated with prominent artists such as Amii Stewart and Achille Lauro, pursuing a path of great artistic effervescence.
The L.A. Chorus aims to foster the meeting between composers and interpreters, enriching the repertoire and highlighting living composers. Through its activities, the choir represents one of the most active and vibrant realities in southern Italy, significantly contributing to the contemporary musical scene.
CURRICULUM ANTONIO ALESSANDRO FORTUNATO
Born on February 1, 1985, Antonio Alessandro Fortunato is a versatile and passionate musician with a solid academic background and extensive experience in music. He graduated with top honors in organ, piano, and choral conducting, further enhancing his education with a Master’s in Music Therapy from the Conservatory of Bari and in Music Pedagogy from the Orff Institute in Salzburg.
Kuva: L.A Chorus
Antonio’s passion for choral conducting led him to study with internationally renowned teachers such as Marco Berrini, Lorenzo Donati, Peter Neumann, Frieder Bernius, and Luigi Marzola at the Milano Choral Academy, where he honed his musical skills and sensitivity. He also completed the ”Giovanni Maria Rossi” course in Liturgical Choral Conducting organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference, which strengthened his preparation in liturgical music.
He attended the prestigious four-year course at the Chigiana Academy in Siena, where he was recognized as the best conductor in his class in 2019 under the guidance of Maestro Lorenzo Donati. Currently, Antonio directs various choirs and ensembles, including ”Apulia Cantat” which has received national and international accolades under his leadership. The choir has participated in numerous competitions, winning awards and special mentions. He also conducts the ”L.A. Chorus” a professional choir that brings together talents from the Basilicata and Puglia regions, and the ”Poliba Chorus” affiliated with the Polytechnic University of Bari, where he promotes choral music among university students.
In addition, Antonio collaborates as the Choir Master with the ”Magna Grecia” Concert Orchestra in Taranto, contributing to significant musical productions and enriching the orchestra’s artistic experience with his choral conducting expertise. He is frequently invited as a guest conductor, working with various choral ensembles.
Antonio is also dedicated to teaching music fundamentals using the ”DO MOBILE” – Goitre Method, an innovative approach that facilitates musical learning. As a trainer, he participates in festivals for youth choirs, contributing to the development and training of young talents.
Lastly, Antonio serves as an orchestra professor for organ and celesta at the ”Teatro Petruzzelli” Lyric Symphony Foundation in Bari.
Teksti: L. A. Chorus