La Cigale de Verviers

In 1988, a group of friends got together to sing. After a few evenings together, they realised they wanted to go further. The group chose a name: LA CIGALE, and soon welcomed new singers on a regular basis. Since its creation, the choir has given numerous concerts in the Verviers district and beyond. Audiences have enjoyed a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the 20th century: sacred, classical and popular songs, Negro Spirituals, variety, not forgetting the many Christmas carols.
The choir has also joined forces with other choirs and orchestras to perform more substantial works, including Marcello’s Psalm 18, J. Haydn’s Missa Brevis, M. Haydn’s Te Deum, F. Schubert’s Mass in G Major, Judex, and many others. Schubert’s ‘Messe en Sol Majeur’, Gounod’s ‘Judex’, Fauré’s ‘La Pavane’ and Mozart’s ‘Coronation Mass’, as well as works by contemporary regional composers such as Edgard Davignon’s ‘La Suite Abitibienne’ and Luc Baiwir’s ‘La Symphonie des Ages’.

La Cigale was declared “Cultural Ambassador of the City of Verviers” by the alderman of culture of Verviers.
In 2013, La Cigale sang at the International Choral Festival in Verona. In particular, she had the opportunity to sing the very beautiful song “Signore delle Cime” by G.Di Marzi in the composer’s village and with the choir created by him. Wonderful and moving.
In May 2015, La Cigale sang in Bonn, city of Beethoven.
From November 30 to December 4, 2016, La Cigale will be present at the international choral singing festival in Prague (CZ). There too, our conductor was appointed to lead the international choir.
For its 30th anniversary, in 2018, the La Cigale choir is making a world premiere by performing “the fresco of popular Walloon songs” for choir, symphony orchestra and soloists, by the French composer Bernard Lallement. Two concerts were given in Verviers and Waimes. At the Verviers concert, the presence of the composer should be noted.
These two concerts, given in front of packed houses, were each greeted with a standing ovation.
In 2019, La Cigale gives concerts in the Flemish region, in Bruges and Ghent.
2020 and 2021 see choral singing banned due to COVID 19.
La cicada resumes its activities in March 2022. The workforce has, however, decreased significantly. The year is therefore dedicated to recruitment and learning. At the end of the year, La Cigale takes part in several Christmas concerts
2023, 35 years of existence. La Cigale is going abroad again. Provence, here we are.
The ensemble, directed since its creation by Alain Willems, is currently made up of around thirty choristers (of all ages) in whom burns the sacred fire of music and friendship.

LISTEN

DATE