Choral Societies and Political Power in the Cities of Bern and Fribourg in the Nineteenth Century

Throughout the course of the nineteenth century, numerous male choral societies were founded across Europe. In some regions, authorities supported and even used such choirs as a means by which to promote their political ideals, while elsewhere choral societies were seen as a threat to the regime. In the case of Switzerland, some authors emphasise the liberal political position of male choirs. Nonetheless, little has been written about the activity and the development of choral societies in different Swiss regions, for instance, in places and periods in which liberals were not a majority in government. What was the relationship between choirs and the relevant authorities in these cases? How did political developments and power struggles affect choral activity? This paper aims to investigate the relationship between male choirs and various authorities in the cities of Bern and Fribourg in the nineteenth century. Based on primary sources such as letters, members’ lists, and jubilee publications, it discusses the development of prominent male choirs within these cities in light of local and regional political contexts. The paper not only discusses choirs’ political positions and the consequences of them but also shows how these choirs were part of the political power game.