Cantilena Female Chamber Choir Gumpoldskirchen was founded in 2004 in the picturesque village of Gumpoldskirchen in Lower Austria and has its musical roots and background in the renowned children’s choir “Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen”. The wonderful memories and experiences of their childhood, their love and passion for singing and the desire to develop further and grow beyond the musical boundaries of a children’s choir, inspires a group of young women to reunite and establish an adult female choir “Cantilena”.
Led by its co-founder and artistic director Prof. Elisabeth Ziegler until 2017, Cantilena became critically acclaimed and achieved numerous awards for outstanding achievement at national and international choral competitions.
Previous accomplishments: Gold medal at International Choral contest “Riva del Garda” in 2004; 1st prize at “Austria Cantat” in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015; Gold medal at “World Choir Games” in Graz 2008; 1st prize at “Praha Cantat” and “Franz Schubert Contest Vienna” 2010; Silver medal at “Heart of Europe” 2011; 3rd prize at International choir contest “Ave Verum” in Baden 2012; 10th International Choir Contest Mainhausen 2017; Gold band at 8thInternational Festival of Advent and Christmas Music in Bratislava 2018.
Since September 2022 the young Viennese choir director and conductor Matthias Schoberwalter is leading Cantilena as artistic and musical director. Matthias studied choral conducting at the University of Music & Performing Arts Graz with Johannes Prinz and at the Sibelius Academy Helsinki with Nils Schweckendiek. He holds a degree for music education from the University of Music & Performing Arts Vienna and for church music from Diözesankonservatorium Wien.
He works with several choirs and vocal ensembles in Austria, currently serving as artistic director and choral conductor at Wiener Lehrer a-cappella-Chor, Cantilena Frauenkammerchor Gumpoldskirchen and Choram Publico.
Since 2021 Matthias is the choir director of Operette Langenlois and in 2023 he was appointed as choral Master to Lehar Festival Bad Ischl. Matthias teaches choral conducting at the Joseph Haydn Konservatorium Eisenstadt.
His aim is to inspire many people and musicians of all levels to sing together and express their musicality.
©Marie Bleyer
Cantilena performs classical choral and sacred a cappella music, ranging from medieval chant, old masters through to choral works of the 21st Century, including folk songs from all nations, popular music and contemporary compositions written specifically for women’s voices.
Cantilena’s top priority always is to enchant and inspire their audience with their love and passion for music and choral singing.
Cantilena Female Chamber Choir is open to new members.
If singing is your passion, you have choir experience and are interested to join, please contact us.
