The Dresden Kreuzchor is one of the oldest and most famous boys’ choirs in the world. Its history dates back to the first recorded mention of the city of Dresden in the early 13th century. Even after more than 800 years, one of the Kreuzchor’s most important tasks remains singing during liturgical services at the Kreuzkirche on Dresden’s Altmarkt. Here, the Dresden Kreuzchor performs at Vespers and church services and regularly gives concerts featuring outstanding works of sacred music. These works form the core of the choir’s repertoire and reflect its Christian-humanist character. In addition to prominent soloists, the choir’s key artistic partners include the Dresden Philharmonic and the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden. The Dresden Kreuzchor also collaborates with early music ensembles such as the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin. The Dresden Kreuzchor’s repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to world premieres of contemporary works. Its extensive artistic output is documented in numerous recordings.
In addition to its defining role in Dresden’s musical life, the city-sponsored choir has been touring Germany and beyond European borders for nearly 100 years, traveling as far as Israel, Canada, Japan, South America, Korea, China, and the United States. As the Saxon capital’s oldest cultural institution, it represents the city on nearly every continent and most recently made its debut at the Shanghai International Arts Festival and, together with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, at the Salzburg Easter Festival. The choir members are also regularly engaged as soloists for opera roles.
The Kruzianer attend the Evangelisches Kreuzgymnasium, one of Germany’s oldest schools, until they graduate from high school. Many members of the Kreuzchor live in the neighbouring Alumnat, the choir’s boarding school. Alongside their normal school day, the singers, aged between nine and eighteen, receive individual vocal and instrumental tuition. Their intensive rehearsals and the unique magic of the boys’ voices form the foundation for the international renown of the Dresden Kreuzchor.