In 2017 the LDO celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding. It all began as a vocal group of passionate friends of singing and today it has become a solid project that is being revealed as a reference in Spain and abroad, as it has been stated by the public, critics and the invitations to the best festivals all over the world.
El León de Oro (LDO), founded in Luanco, Asturias, is much more than a vocal ensemble; it is a symbol of choral excellence that has captivated both audiences and critics throughout its trajectory. What began in this small coastal town as a group of friends united by their love of singing has evolved into an international benchmark, endorsed by numerous awards, invitations to prestigious festivals, and the devotion of those who enjoy its art.
Versatility is one of the traits that best defines this ensemble. With a flexible roster that adapts to the demands of each work, LDO offers performances ranging from the great masters of the Renaissance and Baroque to the boldest creations of the contemporary repertoire. This ability to approach such a diverse repertoire—always with outstanding interpretative quality—has allowed them to consolidate their position as one of Spain’s leading choirs.
One of the aspects that makes LDO unique is its own concert season, where it presents carefully designed a cappella programs. Added to this is its ongoing collaboration with major Spanish symphony orchestras, such as the Orquesta Sinfónica del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo Filarmonía, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León, and the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Its international profile is also reflected in partnerships with prestigious European early music ensembles, including Le Concert des Nations, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, and the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg.
El León de Oro has been invited to Spain’s most important early music festivals, from those in Logroño, Aranjuez, Seville, Úbeda, and Baeza, to the Quincena Musical Donostiarra, the Festival Internacional de Arte Sacro de Madrid, and the Semana de Música Religiosa de Cuenca. More recently, it has also performed at the Palau de la Música Catalanain Barcelona. Its international reach is evident in memorable performances under Jordi Savall at the Philharmonie de Paris, La Saline Royale, and the Festival Berlioz.
The ensemble also boasts an extraordinary record of achievements. Among its accolades are first prize at the London International A Cappella Choir Competition (2014), the Gran Premio Nacional de Canto Coral (2003 and 2006), and other awards from prestigious competitions such as Arezzo, Flanders, Tolosa, Varna, and Tours. More recently, in 2020, it was recognized in the Circuitos FestClásica, and in 2021 received the Amuravela de Oro award.
In the recording field, LDO has consolidated its prestige through a trilogy of albums released by Hyperion Records: Amarae Morti (2019), Guerrero: Magnificat, Lamentations & Canciones (2021), and George de la Hèle: Missa Praeter rerum seriem (2024). This latest album, which explores the repertoire of Philip II’s Flemish Chapel, was named Disc of the Month by Scherzo magazine. All these productions, conducted by the renowned British maestro Peter Phillips, LDO’s honorary conductor since 2017, have been acclaimed by critics and achieved significant international impact.
LDO’s educational role is equally remarkable. Since 2017, it has organized choral conducting masterclasses that have attracted teachers and students from around the world. These initiatives are complemented by the work of its Choral School, reaffirming its commitment to the development and dissemination of choral singing.
El León de Oro is made possible thanks to the support of its main patron, the SATEC Group, and its protective partner, the company Excade, as well as the backing of institutions such as INAEM and the Principality of Asturias. From its origins in Luanco, this Asturian ensemble continues to shine as one of the foremost exponents of choral music, bringing its art to new horizons and moving all those who have the privilege of listening to them.
