Coral Ouro Preto

Origin

Ouro Preto, MG

Years Active

1950s

Genres

bossa nova, MPB, choro, folk

Instruments

vocals

Biography

The Coral Ouro Preto was a vocal ensemble formed in the late 1950s in the historic city of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Maestro and arranger Ubirajara Cabral was the driving force behind its creation, bringing together ten young men and nine young women. The group quickly gained recognition, with critic Sylvio Tullio Cardoso noting their discovery by Ismael Corrêa. The Coral Ouro Preto is considered a significant landmark in Brazilian music, marking a pivotal moment in the transition towards Bossa Nova.

Their discography includes several notable albums. In 1961, they released their self-titled debut LP on Polydor, featuring a mix of traditional Brazilian songs, spirituals, and European Renaissance pieces, many with arrangements by Cabral. The following year, they signed with Odeon and released another album, showcasing Brazilian popular music, including compositions by renowned artists like Tom Jobim and Noel Rosa. They also participated in a tribute album to Noel Rosa in the same year.

The Coral Ouro Preto continued to release music, with albums like "Coral de Ouro Preto Nº 2" in 1964 and "Coral Ouro Preto - à capela" in 1966. Their work is characterized by sophisticated vocal arrangements and a repertoire that spanned traditional folk music, spirituals, and the emerging sounds of Bossa Nova, making them an important ensemble in the Brazilian music scene of the 1960s.