СРПСКИ ХОРОВИ И ПЕВАЧКА ДРУШТВА У ТЕМИШВАРУ (1836-2016)
THE SERBIAN CHOIRS AND SINGING SOCIETIES IN TIMIȘOARA (1836-2016)

Summary/Abstract: Recent enquiries have established year 1836 as the starting point of the fructuous choral tradition among the Serbs living in Timișoara. The paper presents a historical overview of the activity of the Serbian choirs and singing societies in Timișoara over an uninterrupted 180-year span, started in 1836 by the Choir of the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, which is still active today. The choral singing tradition, the first form of organized cultural activity among the Serbs in Banat, emerged from church chanting, and later expanded in the civil society, reaching one of its peaks during the two world wars. Apart from the church choirs, the most notable exponents were the Serbian Singing Society (1867-1947), “Sloga” (1922- 1947) and “Zora” (1903-1947), whose activity is still little known in the academic world. In addition to the chronological perspective – which divides the 180 years in five distinct periods (1836-1866, 1867-1921, 1922-1947, 1948-1996, 1997-2016), the paper gives documented information on the choir conductors, the repertoire, activity highlights and main artistic achievements of the choirs. Given the geopolitical context during which these choirs were active, the author demonstrates the multi-lateral role they played, from enhancing the cultural life to preserving the religious and national identity of Serbs in Timișoara and Banat region.

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