Hortus Musicus (AT)

Christa Mäurer: soprano

Waltraud Russegger: mezzo-soprano

Michael Gerzabek: tenorino

Michael Nowak: tenor

Günter Mattitsch: baritone

About the artists

Hortus Musicus Klagenfurt was founded as a vocal and instrumental early music ensemble. At the beginning the focus of the chorus was on performing Gothic and Burgundian music (Dufay, Ockeghem, Pierre de la Rue, Josquin des Prez et.al.), followed by famous composers of the Italian Renaissance (Palestrina, Marenzio, Gabrieli, Arcadelt, Vecchi and especially Monteverdi). The ensemble’s performance and recording of the madrigal comedy "L'Amfiparnaso" by Orazio Vecchi was honoured with the Carinthian art award for music.

The ensemble’s preoccupation with contemporary music started with the debut performance of Dieter Kaufmann's opera "Volksoper" at the Vienna Festival Weekends in 1984, in which Hortus Musicus sang and acted on stage. Renaissance and contemporary music have been the antipodes in their work ever since.

In 1990 the choir dispersed and was replaced by a five-voice soloists ensemble, which intensified work on contemporary music. As a result, the ensemble won the 1st prize of the Concorso C. A. Seghizzi in Gorizia (Italy).

On the other hand, the ensemble immersed themselves in the music of the Renaissance: the madrigal comedy "Feast (Festino)" by Adriano Banchieri received a scenic performance; "The Venetian Boat for Padova (La Barca di Venetia per Padova)" also by Banchieri was produced on TV by ORF; "L'Amfiparnaso" by Orazio Vecchi was performed as a puppet show (puppets: Breda Varl) under the direction of Alfred Meschnigg at many venues in Austria, Germany and Italy.

Guest performances in Austria and abroad (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, Germany, Turkey) and attendances at music festivals (Warsaw Festival of Early Music, Music Festival Bursa Turkey, Zagreb Summer Festival, Carinthian Summer, Vienna Festival Weekends, Styrian Autumn, Week of the Encounter (Woche der Begegnung), Trigonale Festival of Early Music, Incontri musicali Venezia, Herrenhäuser Festival Week Hannover, Vienna Long Night of New Sounds) show the preoccupation of the ensemble with contemporary Carinthian music.

Since 1972, the ensemble has performed about 400 music programmes, 250 only by the ensemble of soloists.

Christa Mäurer – soprano

Born in 1971 in Villach. Works as kindergarten teacher for children with special needs. Studied violin at the Villach Music School, vocal studies at the Carinthian conservatory in Klagenfurt with Prof. Simon- Dietrich. Since 1995 member of the ensemble Hortus Musicus.

Günter Mattitsch – baritone/leader

Born in 1947. Works as medical practitioner, homoeopathy and systemic family constellations in Klagenfurt. Vocal studies, studies of cello and piano in Klagenfurt and Vienna. Formed and took the lead of the vocal and instrumental ensemble Hortus Musicus Klagenfurt in 1972 to 1989. Afterwards leader of the soloists ensemble Hortus Musicus with the focus on music of the Renaissance and contemporary music. Started studies of composition with Prof. Dieter Kaufmann in Klagenfurt in 1985. Won 1^st prize with the composition “There was Earth in Them (Es war Erde in ihnen)“ (Paul Celan) at the international competition of composition of the Bach Academy Stuttgart (Germany), and a prize with the “Paul Celan Triptych (Paul Celan Triptychon)“ at the Seghizzi international competition of choirs in Gorizia (Italy) in 1991.

Michael Gerzabek – tenorino

Vocal studies at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Graduated as teacher for music and instrumental education with the degree magister artium. During his studies he sang in various choirs and vocal groups to make a living. Afterwards he performed under notable conductors und directors in operas from classic up to modernity across all genres. Currently freelance singer (tenorino) in various ensembles, and soloist of secular and sacred music. 

Michael Nowak – tenor

Born in 1967 in Villach. First studies in piano at the Villach Music School. Studied at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Studied jazz music at the Vienna City Conservatory with Roland Batik. Currently teaches music at a grammar school in Villach. n operas from classic up to modernity across all genres. Currently freelance singer (tenorino) in various ensembles, and soloist of secular and sacred music. 

Dietmar Pickl – bass

Bass of the ensemble Hortus Musicus since 1974. Worked as elementary school teacher for three years. Attended vocal studies at the Academy Mozarteum Salzburg with Ludwig Weber. Opera singer in Vienna (Vienna Chamber Opera) and in Hannover (Lower Saxony State Opera) as bass buffo. Teacher of philosophy at grammar schools and the University of Klagenfurt (Alpen Adria University). 

Waltraud Russegger – mezzo-soprano / alto

Born in Klagenfurt. Studied at Carinthian conservatory in Klagenfurt (vocals and violin). Master courses with Kurt Equiluz, Thomas Quasthoff, Helmut Rilling and Iris Vermillion. Alto soloist in concerts with works by J. S. Bach, W. A. Mozart, G. Mahler, G. F. Händel. Collaboration with R. Buchbinder, S. Cambreling, J. Döller, J. Ebenbauer, B. Furrer, M. Landerer, J. Prinz, M. Schmidt; Bamberger Symphoniker, SWR-Sinfonieorchester, Sinfonietta Baden, Capella Leopoldina, Ensemble La Partita, Klangforum Wien, ensemble recherche; Vokalensemble NOVA (Vienna). Member of Hortus Musicus since 1995.