Early Music Vocal Ensemble "Canto"

The history of the early music vocal ensemble "Canto" of the University of Latvia began in 1982. The founders of the ensemble are Latvia's leading music educators Irena Nelsone and Andrejs Murnieks, under whose leadership the ensemble has been the only performer of early music in Latvia for a long time. Currently, the leader of the ensemble is Kristine Gaile.
The ensemble has established a long-term cooperation with the instrumental early music ensemble "Ludus" and created many joint concert programs, including some Latvian Television performances. In its 40-year history, "Canto" has participated in the Bauska Ancient Music Festival, performed concerts in Latvian palaces, participated in Song festivals, competitions and concerts in Germany, Austria, France, Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Russia. World-renowned musicians such as Andris Nelsons, Michael Procter, Michael Fields, Evelina Taba have collaborated with the ensemble, and in cooperation with the organist Liene Andreta Kalnciema, the first performance of Emanuele D'Astorga's "Stabat Mater" was made in Latvia.