Noctuor Ensemble
Choir presentation
The Noctuor ensemble consists of eight friends from Fribourg and the surrounding areas in Switzerland who share a common passion: choral art.
The group was formed in the autumn of 2016 for a folk music competition organized by Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS). They reached the finals by performing a complex eight-part piece live. As the members of the octet had all previously performed in large ensembles, this musical challenge proved extremely rewarding: each singer gained confidence by being solely responsible for their own part, while refining their listening skills to achieve musical balance. The technical and human experience was such that the singers decided the Noctuor adventure would not be short-lived.
Since then, the ensemble has performed numerous private and public concerts. Notably, they have appeared several times on the RTS program “Le Kiosque à musiques” and at iconic musical events in the Canton of Fribourg. There is no question of offering a monotonous repertoire; the singers are keen to explore different musical styles, including negro spirituals, pop, French chanson, and traditional Fribourg, Scottish, or even Norwegian pieces.
THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Antoine Krattinger
Musical direction is provided by Antoine Krattinger, the ensemble’s second tenor. A graduate of the Lausanne University of Music (HEMU) and a secondary school music teacher, he also arranges and composes tailor-made songs for the octet. These include Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas, and a medley of music from the 2000s.
Antoine began piano lessons at the Fribourg Conservatory at the age of nine with Louis-Marc Crausaz. At the same time, he became interested in MAO (computer-assisted music) and composed his first instrumental pieces.
In 2018, he founded the label “Hasard Records” with the artist Lorage. Their joint album “Sauvage,” released in 2019, currently has over 10 million streams on
streaming platforms.
Director of the Choeur des Guelins from 2017 to 2023, he conducts and sings within the Noctuor Ensemble. This ensemble was founded in 2016 by 8 friends, and with them, he distinguished himself by finishing in
3rd place in the “Vocal Ensemble” category at the last Swiss Choral Competition in 2024.
In 2018, he co-founded and took over the artistic direction of the Cake O’ Phonie ensemble, composed of singers from French-speaking Switzerland. In 2024, this ensemble won the “Pop” category
at the Swiss Choral Competition and obtained a gold medal at the “World Choral Cup” in Barcelona in the “Vocal Ensemble” category.
It was also with his arrangements and this vocal ensemble that he participated in and won the program “Chorus” produced by RTS in 2018. Following this victory, the group had the
chance to represent Switzerland at the “Eurovision Choir of The Year” in Gothenburg in 2019.
A graduate of the University of Music (HEMU Vaud, Valais, Fribourg) and the University of Teacher Education (HEP Vaud), he has also been teaching music since 2022. Antoine Krattinger currently conducts the Fribourg Symphonic Choir in collaboration with artistic director Louis-Marc Crausaz.
Noctuor Ensemble
Choir presentation
The Noctuor ensemble consists of eight friends from Fribourg and the surrounding areas in Switzerland who share a common passion: choral art.
The group was formed in the autumn of 2016 for a folk music competition organized by Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS). They reached the finals by performing a complex eight-part piece live. As the members of the octet had all previously performed in large ensembles, this musical challenge proved extremely rewarding: each singer gained confidence by being solely responsible for their own part, while refining their listening skills to achieve musical balance. The technical and human experience was such that the singers decided the Noctuor adventure would not be short-lived.
Since then, the ensemble has performed numerous private and public concerts. Notably, they have appeared several times on the RTS program “Le Kiosque à musiques” and at iconic musical events in the Canton of Fribourg. There is no question of offering a monotonous repertoire; the singers are keen to explore different musical styles, including negro spirituals, pop, French chanson, and traditional Fribourg, Scottish, or even Norwegian pieces.
THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Antoine Krattinger
Musical direction is provided by Antoine Krattinger, the ensemble’s second tenor. A graduate of the Lausanne University of Music (HEMU) and a secondary school music teacher, he also arranges and composes tailor-made songs for the octet. These include Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas, and a medley of music from the 2000s.
Antoine began piano lessons at the Fribourg Conservatory at the age of nine with Louis-Marc Crausaz. At the same time, he became interested in MAO (computer-assisted music) and composed his first instrumental pieces.
In 2018, he founded the label “Hasard Records” with the artist Lorage. Their joint album “Sauvage,” released in 2019, currently has over 10 million streams on
streaming platforms.
Director of the Choeur des Guelins from 2017 to 2023, he conducts and sings within the Noctuor Ensemble. This ensemble was founded in 2016 by 8 friends, and with them, he distinguished himself by finishing in
3rd place in the “Vocal Ensemble” category at the last Swiss Choral Competition in 2024.
In 2018, he co-founded and took over the artistic direction of the Cake O’ Phonie ensemble, composed of singers from French-speaking Switzerland. In 2024, this ensemble won the “Pop” category
at the Swiss Choral Competition and obtained a gold medal at the “World Choral Cup” in Barcelona in the “Vocal Ensemble” category.
It was also with his arrangements and this vocal ensemble that he participated in and won the program “Chorus” produced by RTS in 2018. Following this victory, the group had the
chance to represent Switzerland at the “Eurovision Choir of The Year” in Gothenburg in 2019.
A graduate of the University of Music (HEMU Vaud, Valais, Fribourg) and the University of Teacher Education (HEP Vaud), he has also been teaching music since 2022. Antoine Krattinger currently conducts the Fribourg Symphonic Choir in collaboration with artistic director Louis-Marc Crausaz.