Twenty-two choirs that include about 700 singers from seven countries will take part in the ninth international festival and contest of choral music “Leaves in vineyards go brown”. In a news conference at IPN, the organizers of the festival said entrance to all the events is free.
The ninth edition of the festival is organized by the Musical-Choral Association of Moldova in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and East Europe Foundation. The Association’s president Elena Marian said this is the only major choral event in Chisinau and in the country. This year the contest involves choirs from Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Macedonia, Ukraine, Latvia and Moldova. The participants and spectators are expected to total 6,000-7,000.
The festival will take place during October 27-30. The official opening at the Theater “Ginta Latin” was set for October 27, 6pm. The contest starts at the Museum of Ethnography and Natural History of Moldova on October 28, at 10am. On October 29, there will be the National Music Day. The concert will be held at the Palace of the Republic starting at 6pm. On the last day, the participating choirs will perform sacred music in churches of Chisinau municipality starting at 11am. The festival ends on October 30 with the presentation of diplomas and prizes. The Organ Hall will host the Laureate Gala that starts at 6pm.
Elena Marian said this year’s festival will involve such famous singers as Zapro Zaprov from Macedonia, George Dumitriu from Romania, Sergey Savenko from Ukraine and Valentina Bolduratu and Svetlana Postolachi from Moldova. For the first time this year, all the festival participants will be able to take part in a choral music masterclass given by Zapro Zaprov.
Conductor Valentina Bolduratu, who directed the choir “Credo” of the Ministry of the Interior and is a teacher at the Academy of Music, Theater and Plastic Arts, said the choral art in Moldova was earlier appreciated more, but a regression was witnessed after the obtaining of independence. Therefore, the holding of such an event is welcome and gives a new impetus to this type of arts. Many famous singers start their education within choirs. Therefore, this art should be further supported.
Oxana Filip, conductor of the choir “Renaissance” of the Academy of Music, Theater and Plastic Arts, noted that such international competitions are as important for choral music singers as the Olympic Games for athletes. This event enables to exchange experience, to learn new types of interpretation, to enrich the repertoire and to establish new useful relations. “Renaissance” is the laureate of 18 international contests and returns from everywhere with awards, being described as an elite choir.
