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Since its foundation in 1904, the choir is in charge of the regular musical service of Monaco’s Cathedral. Thus we can listen to it, from September to June, every Sundays in the mass of 10h30 and also, for each great celebration day of the liturgical year. The musical service of the choir of the cathedral is interrupted during summer: concerts tour in July and holidays in August.
The choir is composed of 85 singers divided as follow: 25 boys as Little Singers of Monaco, 60 men and women adults. On ordinary Sundays, the service is assured in rotation by the singers. For the great celebrations everyone must be present.
Some of the celebrations are specific to the Principality’s tradition, like the National Day on November 19th and the Solemnity of Sainte-Devote on January 1st, Patron of the Principality and the Sovereign Family.
The musical repertoire for the Cathedral service is very diverse. The choir gives a large place to the interpretation of Gregorian singing, this marvellous “proper singing of the roman liturgy” according to the Constitution “De Sacra Liturgia” of the Vatican II Council. For each great celebration, the Proper Gregorian of this day Office (IntroÏt, Alleluia, Séquence, Communion…) is interpreted by the men chorus. Many Masses in plain-chant are parts of the Sundays and Celebration Days’ repertoire. Polyphonic Masses and diverse Motets, from the Renaissance to the Modern music, are also parts of the musical programs. Finally, French songs, composed for most by the Canon Henri Carol, Chapel Master of the Cathedral from 1946 to 1971, are very often interpreted by the choir which uses a specific repertoire of high quality, part of its patrimony.
The accompaniment with organ is assured by Jean-Cyrille Gandillet, choir organist of Monaco’s Cathedral and by his assistant Stéphane Catalanotti. Lots of pieces of works are performed with the intervention of the Grand-Organ assured by Olivier Vernet.
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