Orphei Drängar

Orphei Drängar, a Swedish male choir from Uppsala, was founded on October 30, 1853. Initially formed as a social gathering during a cholera outbreak, the choir began with ten singers and a pianist, led by Jonas Widén and Oscar Arpi. Their first concert took place in 1864, marking their debut as a professional ensemble. Over the years, Orphei Drängar expanded its repertoire from traditional national-romantic pieces to contemporary works, including collaborations with notable artists such as Barbara Hendricks and Malena Ernman. The choir has released numerous albums, including Till glädjens värn och ära (1987) and Diamonds (2003). Under the direction of Cecilia Rydinger in 2008, Orphei Drängar performed internationally, participating in over 25 concerts annually.