The mixed choir

GAUDIUM PRAHA

The mixed choir Gaudium was set up in 1988 by Vladislav Souček and Zdena Součková, the choirmasters of the children choir Radost Praha. The core of  the new choir was formed mostly by the former members of this children choir together with parents. The choir began rehearsing regularly and the number of its members has gradually increased to the contemporary 55-60 singers. Both the choirmasters have been leading the choir since its establishment up to now.

Ing. Vladislav Souček (born 1937) set up the children choir Radost Praha in 1961 and it has soon become successful both at home and abroad, and has been amongst the best children choirs in the Czech Republic since.  
Zdena Součková (born 1949) has been helping her husband to lead Radost  Praha since 1967, and in 1990 she set up the boys choir Pueri Gaudentes which has become a highly regarded ensemble at home as well as abroad. 
Both the choirmasters have been awarded the prestigious František Lýsek Prize, the highest acknowledgement of choir conducting awarded in the Czech Republic. 
The artistic advancement of the choir Gaudium has also been ministered by the cooperation with the voice consultant prof. Věra Grigová and the pianist Jitka Nešverová.

Since its establishment Gaudium has gradually studied over 170 pieces of various kinds from the sacred  compositions and old polyphony  of the periods of renaissance and baroque up to contemporary authors. The repertoire of Gaudium comprises also classical choir masterpieces, spirituals and gospels as well as folk songs arranged by both Czech and foreign composers, and larger vocal compositions (Mass in D major “Lužanská” by Antonín Dvořák, Jarní romance by Zdeněk Fibich, J.S.Bach's Magnificat or L.Vierne's Messe Solennelle).

The first public performance of the choir Gaudium took place in December 1988. Since then the choir has been performing regularly in Prague and other places in the Czech Republic, as well as touring abroad. It has performed at many festival concerts all over Europe and been applauded by audiences in Belgium (1991, 1993 and 2001), Germany (1992 and 1995) Italy (1995), Norway (1997 and 2000), France (1999, 2004 and 2005), Great Britain (2001 and 2005) ans Spain (2008). In all these countries the choir has represented the traditionally high level of choir singing in the Czech Republic, it has won recognition and attracted sympathy of the listeners and it has made personal contacts with members of the local choirs. Most of these have been Gaudium’s guests in Prague and have had joint concerts together.

In 1998 Gaudium issued its first profile CD.