News

On 21 March (Friday) at 7:00 PM one of the most outstanding and accomplished professional choirs in Lithuania, the State Choir "Vilnius" will perform a concert at Rīga Dome Cathedral. The compositions will be performed together with the distinguished Lithuanian organist Renata Marcinkute-Lesieur. Concert of organ and choir music Organ Renata Marcinkuté-Lasieur Choir "Vilnius" /Lithuania/ Artistic Director Povilas Gylys Program: J.Tamulionis, M.Urbaitis, V.Miškinys, V.Bartulis, F.Laténas, V.Augustinas, D.Zakaras „Vilnius“ choir is widely known for its highly meaningful cultural activities. The choir’s audiences are always treated to the most beautiful choral music, and a large number of audio and video recordings stand as testimony to the choir’s high achievements and its conductors’ expertise, dedication and skilful work.

Established 40 years ago as a mixed-voice chamber choir of the Lithuanian Association of the Blind and partly comprised of visually handicapped singers, the "Vilnius" Choir is one of its kind in the world. Though this special feature of the choir is evident at first sight, the first sound of music makes one forget about the darkness in the eyes of some of the singers. Over the many years of its existence, the "Vilnius" Choir has sung at the most prestigious venues and has given concerts with outstanding orchestras and soloists both at home and abroad. It has presented original and ambitious concert programmes at many festivals, competitions and important cultural projects.

Since 2001, the "Vilnius" Choir has been led by its artistic director and principal conductor Povilas Gylys, a professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Under the leadership of this talented and prominent musician, the choir has established itself as an active participant in Lithuanian cultural life, boasting a host of impressive highlights to look back on. Joined by illustrious Lithuanian performers, the choir gives over 50 concerts every year, and its repertoire consists of more than 1,000 compositions from all periods and epochs: the harmonious Renaissance, the flamboyant Baroque, the rational Classicism, the energetic Romanticism, and the expressive and full of contrast Modernism. Both choral miniatures and large-scale vocal/instrumental compositions reveal the 45-strong choir’s rich and soft vocal sound, fluent intonation, harmonious timbres and subtle interpretations combined with true emotion.