“Au zoo des Seize” is a series of 16 poems written by the Swiss poet Emile Gardaz. It was set to music for the Choeur des XVI, Fribourg, conducted by the composer André Ducret. They wan several first prizes for choral singing competitions in 1978 (Tours), 1987 (Arezzo) and in 1989 (Vienne). André Ducret was born in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 1945. He became a musician and was inspired by musicians like Pierre Kaelin, Michel Corboz, Jean Balissat, and Eric Ericson. He often conducts the chamber orchestra in Lausanne and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. He conducted the professional choir of Swiss Italian Radio from 1989 to 1992. He composed popular songs but also contemporary songs.
