THE STORY OF I CANTANTI CHAMBER CHOIRS

I Cantanti (50 mixed voices) and Le Voci (32 women's voices) are chamber choirs based in Northfield. The organization was founded by Wayne Kivell in 1988 and began with a single mixed-voice chamber choir of 36 singers. In response to growing interest from treble singers who could not be accommodated in the mixed choir, the treble ensemble Le Donne was established in 2005. Renamed Le Voci in 2026, the ensemble continues the tradition and mission of its predecessor. To maintain artistic quality and balance, membership in both choirs is by audition. The organization has grown significantly over the years, and more than 200 adults have sung with one or both ensembles.

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I Cantanti and Le Voci prepare two or three concert programs each year, meeting from September through April. While focusing primarily on classical choral literature from the Renaissance to the present day, the ensembles have also presented programs featuring folk, Broadway, opera, and jazz repertoire. I Cantanti frequently collaborates with other vocal and instrumental ensembles, including String Fever, the Carleton College Choir, the Minnesota Valley Men's Chorale, Nova Cantabile, the Northfield High School Choir, the Edina Chorale, several local church choirs, and the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra.

In 2004, I Cantanti was the only American choir invited to Italy to participate in a festival featuring choirs from across Europe. Both I Cantanti (1996) and Le Donne (2005 and 2012) were invited to perform at Minnesota state conferences of the American Choral Directors Association. Since 2023, the ensembles have also been heard on Minnesota Public Radio and on local stations KDHL in Faribault and KYMN in Northfield.

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Since the founding of I Cantanti, we have built a loyal audience. In addition to Northfield, concerts have been held in Owatonna, Faribault, New Prague, Eagan, Golden Valley, and Cannon Falls. As a result of this outreach, we are proud to have members from these communities and other local areas who are currently singing or have performed with one or both of the ensembles. The purpose of I Cantanti Chamber Choirs has always been to provide high-quality, authentic performances of choral music across all styles. Our goal is to provide a professional experience in an amateur setting for talented singers in our local area. We are thankful for our audiences and sponsors, whose continued support and generosity help both choirs thrive. Because of your commitment, everyone has the opportunity to participate in something that brings them joy.