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{{morefootnotes|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
[[File:Delhi Chamber Choir.jpg|alt=Delhi Chamber Choir at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai in February, 2023|thumb|Delhi Chamber Choir at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai in February, 2023]]{{Short description|Western Classical choir from New Delhi, India}}

The Delhi Chamber Choir (DCC) is a mixed [[vocal ensemble]] based in [[Delhi]], [[India]], and is among many choirs in India performing [[Western classical]] music. The choir’s repertoire includes a wide range of music from [[Renaissance music|renaissance]] and [[Baroque music|baroque]] to [[Modernism (music)|modern]] and [[Contemporary classical music|contemporary]] choral compositions.

== History ==
The Delhi Chamber Choir was founded in 2007 by Gabriella Boda-Rechner,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2020-03-14 |title=European in tenor & tone |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/european-in-tenor-tone-1655439-2020-03-14 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> a Hungarian expat and professional choirmaster, who had been residing in Delhi. Her leadership influenced the choir's development and artistic output, resulting in performances that introduced Delhi’s audience to choral chamber music.<ref name=":0" />

In April 2012,{{Citation needed|date=December 2024|reason=Cited articles don't mention 2012. Verify again}} Nadezda Valeyrevna Balyan, a Russian choir conductor and music educator who had moved to India, took over as the conductor. An alumnus of the [[Moscow State University of Art and Culture]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=WeekendsatKNMA ft The Capital City Minstrels |url=https://www.knma.in/weekendsatknma-ft-capital-city-minstrels |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Kiran Nadar Museum of Art |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Talwar |first=Amrita |date=2024-07-08 |title='Choir-singing is yet to find a foothold in India,' says conductor Nadezda Balyan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/choir-singing-is-yet-to-find-a-foothold-in-india-says-conductor-nadezda-balyan/article68381059.ece |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-20 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Nadezda introduced the choir to Russian Orthodox music by [[Sergei Rachmaninoff|Rachmaninoff]] and [[Dmitry Bortniansky|Bortniansky]].

After a brief hiatus, during which many of the expat choristers either returned to their home countries or were transferred to other postings, Delhi Chamber Choir witnessed a new generation of Indian singers, mostly under the age of 25. The choir returned to the stage in October 2019 at Delhi’s Akshara Theatre,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Britto |first=David |date=2020-09-28 |title=How the Delhi Chamber Choir Has Adapted During COVID-19, Sustaining Indian Choral Singing |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/how-the-delhi-chamber-choir-has-adapted-during-covid-19-sustaining-indian-choral-singing/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref> performing a repertoire that spanned from [[Tomás Luis de Victoria|Victoria]] and [[Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina|Palestrina]] to [[John Tavener|Tavener]] and [[Francis Poulenc|Poulenc]].

Nadezda continues{{As of?|date=December 2024}} to conduct Delhi Chamber Choir.

== Performances ==
In December 2007, the choir performed choral works by [[Claude Debussy|Debussy]] and [[Zoltán Kodály|Kodaly]] at the [[India International Centre]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MUSIC : Love is in the Air as part of ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE DELHI GOLDEN JUBILEE FEST - 4th November, 2007 |url=https://www.delhievents.com/2007/11/music-love-is-in-air-as-part-of.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Delhi Events|date=4 November 2007 }}</ref> Later that month, DCC collaborated with the [[Neemrana Music Foundation]] at the [[Lotus Temple|Bahai House of Worship]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=WESTERN MUSIC : Neemrana Music Foundation presents Choir Conducted by Gabriella Roda Rechner at Bahai House of Worship - 14th December, 2007 |url=https://www.delhievents.com/2007/12/western-music-neemrana-music-foundation.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Delhi Events|date=14 December 2007 }}</ref>

In March 2008, the choir returned to the Bahai House of Worship, also known as the [[Lotus Temple]], to perform sacred works by [[Johann Sebastian Bach|J.S. Bach]], [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]], [[William Byrd]], and [[Gabriel Fauré]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MUSIC CONCERT " Delhi Chamber Choir presents "My soul yearns for God" at Bahá'í House of Worship ( Lotus Temple ) - 1st March 08 |url=https://www.delhievents.com/2008/03/music-concert-delhi-chamber-choir.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Delhi Events|date=March 2008 }}</ref> Later in November, the Delhi Chamber Choir performed Mozart's '[[Requiem (Mozart)|Requiem]]' and [[Charles Gounod|Gounod]]'s 'Gallia' alongside the Neemrana Music Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhatt |first=Neha |date=9 November 2008 |title=Requiem for a dream |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/requiem-for-a-dream-108110901043_1.html |access-date=29 January 2013 |work=Business Standard}}</ref> Organized by Alliance Francaise, New Delhi, and directed by French conductor Yves Parmentier, the concert was held at the Kamani Auditorium.

In May 2010, Delhi Chamber Choir performed sacred compositions by Mozart, [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]], Bach, and [[Giovanni Battista Pergolesi|Pergolesi]] at the [[Cathedral Church of the Redemption|Cathedral Church of Redemption]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Concert featuring The Mozart Children's Choir of India & The Delhi Chamber Choir at The Cathedral Church of Redemption, 1, Church Road - 6:30pm on 2nd May 2010 |url=https://www.delhievents.com/2010/04/concert-featuring-mozart-children-choir.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Delhi Events|date=2 May 2010 }}</ref> The choir performed another programme of sacred music in April 2012 at [[Teen Murti Bhavan|Teen Murti Bhawan]], conducted by Nadezda Balyan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Neemrana Music Foundation presents An evening of opera arias, choruses & sacred music at Teen Murti House, Teen Murti Marg > 7pm on 11th April 2012 |url=https://www.delhievents.com/2012/04/neemrana-music-foundation-presents.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Delhi Events|date=11 April 2012 }}</ref>

After a brief hiatus, Delhi Chamber Choir returned to the stage in October 2019 at [[Akshara Theatre]].<ref name=":2" /> In February 2020, Delhi Chamber Choir participated in the Latvian-Indian Choral Festival, organised by the Latvian Embassy in India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Republikā |first=LR vēstniecība Indijas |title=The Latvian-Indian Choir Festival concludes with a concert in Bangalore |url=https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/newdelhi/news/65532-the-latvian-indian-choir-festival-concludes-with-a-concert-in-bangalore |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=www2.mfa.gov.lv}}</ref> The choir performed works by contemporary composers like [[Eric Whitacre]], [[Ola Gjeilo]], [[Arvo Pärt]], Kevin Fox, [[Ēriks Ešenvalds|Eriks Ešenvalds]], and Laura Jekabsone. The performance was led by Latvian conductor, Jānis Ozols, and featured singers from other choirs of Delhi.

In April 2020, the choir was scheduled to perform a concert featuring Italian organist and conductor Paolo Devito, with soloists soprano, Tatiana Smantser, and mezzo-soprano, Larissa Rai. The event was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], reflecting the global impact of the crisis on live performances.<ref name=":2" />

The choir returned to the stage in February 2023 with a performance of [[Karl Jenkins]]' '[[Requiem (Jenkins)|Requiem]]' at the [[National Centre for Performing Arts]] in [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOI Spring 2023: The Music of Sir Karl Jenkins |url=https://www.ncpamumbai.com/event/soi-spring-2023-the-music-of-sir-karl-jenkins/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=NCPA |language=en-US}}</ref> This concert, held in collaboration with the [[Symphony Orchestra of India]] and choirs from [[Bangalore]] and Mumbai, was conducted by [[Marat Bisengaliev]].

April 2023 saw the debut of Project 8, a short-lived ensemble comprising versatile vocalists. This vocal [[Octet (musical)|octet]] specialized in performing Renaissance, Baroque, Modern, and Jazz [[A cappella|a capella]] repertoire.

== Education ==
Delhi Chamber Choir conducts workshops and masterclasses aimed at nurturing young talent and fostering a deeper understanding of choral music. These educational initiatives are designed to enhance vocal techniques, musicality, and overall performance skills, contributing to the growth of choral music in India.

Two of their members, Gaurav Vohra and Vaibhavi Singh, were accepted at [[Saint Petersburg Conservatory]], becoming the first Indians to attend the institution.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Serenade |date=2021-10-23 |title=Delhi Chamber Choir Singers to Attend the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory |url=https://serenademagazine.com/delhi-chamber-choir-singers-become-the-first-indians-to-attend-the-n-a-rimsky-korsakov-st-petersburg-state-conservatory/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Serenade |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, the choir achieved a Distinction grade in the [[ABRSM]] Advanced Choral Singing examination.

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
*[https://www.delhichamberchoir.com/ Delhi Chamber Choir] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614084030/https://www.delhichamberchoir.com/ |date=14 June 2024 }}

[[Category:Indian choirs]]
[[Category:Chamber choirs]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2007]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Delhi]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Delhi]]
[[Category:Classical music in India]]
[[Category:Indian musical groups]]

Delhi Chamber Choir - Revision history

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