The Adelaide Latvian Mixed Choir
The Adelaide Latvian Mixed Choir was formed on the 28th March 1951.
Just under a month later, under the leadership of Kaspars Svenne, 32 choral enthusiasts sang independently for the first time at the investiture of Pastor Vernus Voitkus at St Stephen's Church, in Wakefield St, Adelaide.
The Central Methodist Mission in Franklin St, Adelaide was the choir's first home until in 1966 the Latvian Community purchased what is now the Latvian Hall at 4 Clark St, Wayville.
Kaspars Svenne remained in charge of the choir until 1979 when Astra Kronitis took over
The size of the choir has fluctuated but in 1961 when the Latvian Arts Festival was held in Adelaide, numbers grew to 116.
The choir's main aim has always been the preservation and popularisation of Latvian music, and its repetoire has included folk, sacred and classical pieces as well as modern compositions.
The choir has performed in Good Neighbour Council events, Adelaide Festival of Arts concerts, and during the 1960's sang on ABC Radio and 5KA's "Pleasant Sunday Afternoon" program.
The choir has been recorded several times.
Members have toured Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Sweden, Germany and Latvia.
In 1976, on the choirs 25th anniversary, they sang in the Adelaide Town Hall accompanied by the Burnside Symphony Orchestra.
Kaspars Svenne conducted with Soprano Velts Leipina-Berzina.
On May 26, 2001, the choir held its 50th anniversary concert at the Latvian Hall in Wayville.
Although numbers have diminished to around 40 the enthusiasm of the choir is still high as you can see by watching them singing the Latvian National Anthem at the Proclamation Day celebration on November 14, 2009.
