Arnold Schönberg Chor

Founded in 1972 by artistic director Erwin Ortner, the Arnold Schoenberg Chor stands out as one of Austria’s most versatile and sought-after vocal ensembles. Since 2006, it has been the resident opera chorus at Theater an der Wien, performing a repertoire that spans from the Renaissance and Baroque to contemporary works, with a particular focus on modern compositions.

While the choir has a strong affinity for a cappella pieces, the major choral-orchestral masterpieces also feature prominently in its concert programs. Key performances in staged productions at Theater an der Wien include Schubert’s Fierrabras (directed by Ruth Berghaus, conducted by Claudio Abbado, 1988, Wiener Festwochen), Janáček’s In einem Totenhaus (directed by Patrice Chéreau, conducted by Pierre Boulez, 2007, Wiener Festwochen), Handel’s Messiah (directed by Claus Guth, conducted by Jean-Christophe Spinosi, 2009), and the International Opera Award-winning production of Britten’s Peter Grimes (directed by Christof Loy, conducted by Cornelius Meister). In 2017, the Arnold Schoenberg Chor was honored as Opera Chorus of the Year at the International Opera Awards.

The choir’s international tours have taken it to Asia, the Americas, and across Europe and Austria, performing at festivals such as the Wiener Festwochen, Salzburg Festival, Wien Modern, Carinthischer Sommer, and Styriarte Graz.

For nearly four decades, the Arnold Schoenberg Chor collaborated with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Concentus Musicus Wien, a partnership that earned a Grammy Award in 2002 for their recording of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. Other notable recordings with Harnoncourt include Bach’s cantatas, one of which was Grammy-nominated in 2010, Handel and Haydn oratorios, sacred works by Mozart, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, and Harnoncourt’s final production, Beethoven’s Missa solemnis, in 2016.

Most recently, the choir released a recording of Reger’s motets and sacred songs, entitled Die Nacht ist kommen.