Madrigal Choir

The National Chamber Choir "Madrigal" of Romania is one of the most celebrated and highly thought of choral ensembles, both in Romania and throughout the world. Their fame is due to their unique singing artistry - an experience testified to by Lord Yehudi Menuhin and Elizabeth Schwartzkopf, among others, in the “Golden Book”, a guest book begun in the 1960’s to accommodate the many international accolades and endorsements the choir has received.


The Madrigal choir was founded on the 11th of April 1963, as a component of the "Ciprian Porumbescu" Music Conservatory (now National University of Music) under the initiative of its director, maestro Marin Constantin - professor in residence, together with a few post-graduate students, all choral music lovers. They had their first concert on the 7th of July 1963, at the Music Theatre in Braşov, and their first international performance as part of the third edition of the International "George Enescu" Festival in 1964.


Conceived as a Renaissance chamber ensemble, Madrigal choir and its director, Marin Constantin, aimed to prepare and popularize the canon of the European Renaissance school in the original languages of the songs. The development and diversification of the repertoire involved the rediscovery of the great treasure of Byzantine and old Romanian music, Christmas Carols, folk influenced music and, in very short time since it was created, Romanian contemporary music and vocal-symphonic works.


In over 40 years, over 3500 concerts have been performed by the choir in Romania and abroad. The National Chamber Choir “Madrigal” of Romania and its director Marin Constantin has had the honored mission of presenting themselves at a high level of artistry, promoting the exceptional value of the Romanian performing school all over the world. Critics throughout the world have honoured the choir with a great number of prizes and medals, the greatest of which is the bestowal of the choir with the Good of the Universal Patrimony of UNESCO and the nomination of its director as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1992. (from the official site)