Choral group.
Founded in 1993, directed by professor Alina Orraca and integrated by music professors, students and amateurs performers, the Schola Cantorum Choralina is currently part of the Cuban Institute of Music, belonging to the Ministry of Culture National Center of Concert Music.
The Schola Cantorum Choralina has a broad repertoire of choral music, performed in a great numbers of styles embracing from Renaissance to modern music. Likewise, it has widely disseminated not only Cuban and Latin American popular and folk choral repertoire, but also original works composed by authors from this region and cult music.
Choralina has performed in countless recitals and concerts, also participating in festivals, congresses, fairs and exhibitions held in Cuba at the most important halls of the country, such as the Amadeo Roldán Theater, the National Theater, the Minor Basilica of San Francisco de Asís, the Museum of the Revolution, the Conf
erence center, the Havana Great Theater, the Dolores Hall in Santiago de Cuba, among others. Choralina has also successfully participated in several editions of the International Choral Festival held in Santiago de Cuba city.
In 1994, Choralina visited Venezuela to participated in the "Vinicio Adames" 5th ChoralFestival and in the 5th International Encounter of Afro-Caribbean Music. Since then, the project included the creation of an UNESCO club aimed at promoting the peace and human fraternity ideals. To this end, Choralina has launched a significant cultural work in Havana, with 10 Children Choirs directed by Choralina´s own members.
In 1996, together with the National Symphonic Orchestra, Choralina performed at the première of Anton Bruckner´s Psalm 150, conducted by the French Jean Penin. That same year, they accompanied Cuban singer Augusto Enríquez during his concert given together with English musician Philip Manzanera. Some months later, it participated in the concert given by the renowned Cuban singer Argelia Fragoso.
In 1997, to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of Franz Schubert, sponsored by the Austrian Embassy, Choralina gave several concerts performing, for the first time, some works composed by Schubert, like "El gran Halleluja", "Salve Regina", and "Domine non sum dignus", together with the "Cuerdas Diapasón" Quintet.
In December 1997 they toured through the State of Sao Paulo, in Brazil, giving concerts in different cities like Sao Paulo, Campinas, Ribeirao Preto, San Carlos, Santos Catanduva, among others.
On January 25, 1998, together with the Great Archdiocesan Choir in Havana and with the National Symphonic Orchestra, they sang the Mass presided over by H..S. John Paul II at the José Martí Revolution Square in Havana, conducted by Alina Orraca. That same afternoon, the Schola Cantorum Choralina was selected to perform the Chants for the Celebration of The Word Liturgy, presided over by His Sanctity at the Cathedral of Havana.
Between the months of May and July that same year, they made a successful tour through Spain and Italy, singing at the main theaters, squares, auditoriums and cathedrals of the most important Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Córdoba, Sevilla, Oviedo, León, Santiago de Compostela, Ferrol, Lugo, Astorga, Tarragona, Badajoz and Jerez, witnessed the success of this choral ensemble.
During the tour, in June 10 they participated as the main choral ensemble at the Public Audience by the Pope in San Pedro Square, in Vatican City. After its performance, they were received by His Sanctity in a lovely and unforgettable meeting. They were invited to participate in the Corpus Christi Mass, presided over by H..S. John Paul II in June 11 at the Basilica of San Juan de Letrán, also celebrated by all the Cuban Bishops then visiting the Holy See.
In October 1998 they met the famous pianist Daniel Barenboim at the Higher Institute of Art in Havana, receiving his tokens of recognition.
As part of the 1999 CUBADISCO Festival, the Schola Cantorum Choralina gave a concert together with other popular singers who performed works of its repertoire. Anabel López, Pedrito Calvo (then a member of the popular "Los Van Van Orchestra") and Jorge Luis Rojas, "Rojitas", were the guest artists who participated in that unique concert where the most rigorous choral work merged with the interpretation of those popular musicians.
Between the months of July and August 1999, Choralina toured again through Spain, including cities like Salamanca, Oviedo, Barcelona and Palafrullel, being granted, at Torrevieja, the Habaneras Third award during the 45 Habaneras and Polyphonies Contest.
Together with Coralina, the Spanish actress Lola Herrera gave a concert interpreting Federico García Lorca's poetry, besides presenting some poems fron Nicolás Guillén performed by the Choir voices.
Likewise, Coralina successfully participated at the 5th International Choral Festival held in Santiago de Cuba, where it was called "the most acclaimed choir at the Festival" according to critics in a press release.
In March 2000, Coralina performed for the first time the full score of John Rutter´s Magnificat and, later on, together with the "Alejo Carpentier" Young Symphonic Orchestra, they participated at the premiere of the Third World Symphony, by the Spanish composer Miguel Bermejo, presented at Amadeo Roldán Theater.
In May 2000, Coralina interpreted the "Carmina Burana" cantata, by Carl Orff, together with the National Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Master Leo Brouwer.
In July that same year, at the Alejandro García Caturla Hall of the Amadeo Roldán Theater, this choral group gave a series of Sunday concerts dedicated to children, with the participation of its cantorías and instrumentalists.
Another remarkable moment was the selection of Ariel Hernández (tenor soloist) as member of the World Young Choir sponsored by the International Choral Federation.
