Orfeon Académico de Coimbra
Encyclopedia
Orfeon Académico de Coimbra (O.A.C.) is the oldest and one of the most famous academic choir
s in Portugal
. It was established in 1880 by the then University of Coimbra's law student João Arroio, with the name Sociedade Choral do Orpheon Académico.
It is one of the eight autonomous organizations of the Associação Académica de Coimbra
. Traditionally, most members have been students of the University of Coimbra although there is no requirement of studying at the university to be able to join the choir. However, OAC still represents Coimbra
's Praxe
and traditions.
It is an internationally famous choir, and represents an important role in Portugal's musical evolution, including one of the most important schools of Fado de Coimbra, a unique type of Portuguese fado
.
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
s in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. It was established in 1880 by the then University of Coimbra's law student João Arroio, with the name Sociedade Choral do Orpheon Académico.
It is one of the eight autonomous organizations of the Associação Académica de Coimbra
Associação Académica de Coimbra
The Coimbra Academic Association is the students' union of the University of Coimbra . Founded in Coimbra on November 3, 1887, it is the oldest students' union in Portugal...
. Traditionally, most members have been students of the University of Coimbra although there is no requirement of studying at the university to be able to join the choir. However, OAC still represents Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
's Praxe
Praxe
The Portuguese term praxe describes the whole of student traditions in universities or, more often, to the initiation rituals freshmen are subjected to in some Portuguese universities....
and traditions.
It is an internationally famous choir, and represents an important role in Portugal's musical evolution, including one of the most important schools of Fado de Coimbra, a unique type of Portuguese fado
Fado
Fado is a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. Fado historian and scholar, Rui Vieira Nery, states that "the only reliable information on the history of Fado was orally transmitted and goes back to the 1820s and 1830s at best...
.
See also
- Orfeon Académico de Coimbra - Portuguese link
- University of Coimbra
- Coimbra Academic AssociationAssociação Académica de CoimbraThe Coimbra Academic Association is the students' union of the University of Coimbra . Founded in Coimbra on November 3, 1887, it is the oldest students' union in Portugal...
- PraxePraxeThe Portuguese term praxe describes the whole of student traditions in universities or, more often, to the initiation rituals freshmen are subjected to in some Portuguese universities....