Under the direction of Sylvain Jaccard since 2022, the Novantiqua choir in Sion was founded and directed for 41 years by Bernard Héritier. As its name suggests (Nova & Antiqua), the choir’s repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant to contemporary works. While it is particularly fond of a cappella music, it also collaborates with a number of orchestras, covering the great pages of the classical repertoire.

The ensemble has won several awards. In 1987, it was awarded the Prix Culturel de la Ville de Sion. In 1995, it won first prize at the International Music Tournament in Rome. In 2003, it was awarded the Prix de Conécration by the State of Valais.

The Novantiqua Choir has made some fifteen recordings, including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Monteverdi’s Vespers of the Virgin, Bizet’s L’Arlésienne and numerous works by Valaisan and Swiss composers. He is also a regular guest at various festivals in Switzerland and abroad.