Hannover Choir visit Adelaide

UNESCO Adelaide City of Music was proud to welcome Hanover City of Music’s Junges Vokalensemble for their highly anticipated performance, in collaboration with local choirs, the Adelaide Chamber Singers, and the Elder Conservatorium Chorale. Held on July 25th, 2023 at the University of Adelaide’s at Elder Hall, the event was a culmination of years of cultural exchange and musical camaraderie between the two cities and their choirs.

The choral performance collaboration between UNESCO Creative Cities Network cities Hanover and Adelaide has been steadily growing since 2019, when the Adelaide Chamber Singers and the Junges Vokalensemble, agreed to support each other’s international tours.

Originally planned for 2020, the Adelaide Chamber Singers’ European tour included joint performances with the Junges Vokalensemble, under Conductor Klaus Jürgen-Etzold. At the time, Carl Crossin led the Adelaide Chamber Singers as Artistic Director & Conductor and it was during Carl’s attendance at the German Choral Federation’s Annual Conference in October 2019, that the strong connection formed between the two choirs and their conductors.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the cancellation of the planned tour. Undeterred, Carl Crossin, along with the Klaus Jürgen-Etzold and Christie Anderson, the new Artistic Director & Conductor of the Adelaide Chamber Singers, remained committed to nurturing the musical ties between the two UNESCO Cities of Music.

The long-awaited visit of the Junges Vokalensemble to Adelaide symbolised the resilience and perseverance of cultural exchange. The shared concert held was a testament to the unwavering dedication of both cities to foster international musical connections.

A spectacular showcase of choral excellence, the three exceptional choirs delivered captivating performances both individually and in harmony. The newly refurbished Elder Hall, renowned for its outstanding acoustics, provided the perfect backdrop for this musical celebration.

For aficionados of choral music in Adelaide, the opportunity to witness the harmonious fusion of talent from Hanover and their local counterparts was indeed a rare treat. As the strains of music reverberated through the halls of Elder Hall, it underscored the power of music to transcend boundaries and unite communities in shared artistic expression.

Hanover choir’s visit to Adelaide served as a poignant reminder of the enduring strength of cultural exchange and collaboration, even in the face of unprecedented challenges. It was a testament to the transformative power of music and the indelible bonds it forges between diverse cultures and communities.

Adelaide City of Music is already working with their counter parts in Hanover on future opportunities.