Created in October of 2000 by its conductor Pedro Teixeira , the vocal group Officium is a project that intends to give preference to the interpretation of polyphonic works by 16 th and 17 th centuries' Portuguese composers, once there exists a significant patrimony – much of it yet to be discovered – to the level of music production at the time.
Appearing as one of the rare groups dedicated to Portuguese ancient music of this kind, Officium aims to carry its exigency to high standard levels.
Officium had its first performance in April the 1 st , of 2001, interpreting Frei Manuel Cardoso's Requiem for six voices. The celebration of 350 years over the death of that great Portuguese composer was one of the reasons that gave impetus to the appearance of this group.
Among the several performances since its creation, some should be put in evidence, namely the participation in the international contest Tonen 2002 (www.tonen2000.nl) in Monster, the Netherlands, winning two third prizes both in Sacred and Secular categories. In the end of 2002 presents in several places the programme “A Christmas Mass in Renaissance Europe” featuring Pange Lingua Mass by Josquin des Près as the leading piece.
In February 2003, Officium works with Peter Phillips (conductor of “The Tallis Scholars”), who came to Portugal specifically for that same purpose, conducting Officium in Lisbon in a concert dedicated to the English Music during the Tudors Dinasty.
The group is invited to perform in the Festival Raízes do Atlântico 2003, in Madeira , where it presents the show “Aquarium”, with recognition by the music critics.
It is also invited in December 2003 to the Festival Terras sem Sombra (1st Festival of Sacred Music of Baixo Alentejo).
In 2006 performs in "Festa da Música", in Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB), presenting works from Francisco António de Almeida and Carlos Seixas.
Since 2007 Officium has performed with baroque orchestra Divino Sospiro in several concerts in CCB: "Io la musica son" - music by Monteverdi conducted by Christina Pluhar; "Foi-nos um céu também" - music in the time of Padre António Veira, conducted by Enrico Onofri; Bach's cantata n. 63 and Vivaldi's Gloria and more recently St Mathew Passion, by J S Bach (Enrico Onofri, conductor - April 2009).
Its usual formation has 11 singers, although it often performs with more voices, depending on the repertoire. The higher standards assisting its working guide line, combined with its professional singers performance, have made Officium stand out quickly in the scenery of Portuguese music – and not only – as a group qualified to interpret renaissance music.