The International Music Festival “Martsishor” this year returns with a program full of concerts and performances staged by cultural institutions from all over the country. The 57th edition of the festival that will take place during March 1-10 is expected to be special, said Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan.
“This year the festival has a number of accents. Master Nicolae Botgros reached 70 and we will have performances dedicated to the master and the orchestra “Lăutarii”. Besides, we want to lay special emphasis on events that will be held at the local level. We should not forget that the festival “Martsishor” is an international one. It is the first edition held after the pandemic. The times are yet difficult. We all know that the war in the neighboring country is not over, but we must make effort to keep peace. The people of culture are our force or our army that can stop hostilities by their work,” noted the minster.
Andrei Locoman, director of the National Palace, said that as every year, concerts will be held at the Palace each day during March 1-10. The opening performance on March 1 will be followed by a set of three concerts devoted to Master Nicolae Botgros. On March 5, the National Ballet “Joc” will stage a concert entitled “Revive Love”. On March 6, Romanian singer Delia will give a concert with a show. On March 7, there were be held the traditional concerts “Interethnica” devoted to the ethnic group of Moldova. These will be followed by a concert by the band “Zdob și Zdub” on March 8 and a performance by Irina Rimes on March 9. The festival will be closed by a performance on March 10.
Director of the National Philharmonic “Sergey Lunkevich” Svetlana Bivol noted that the artists will have concerts all over the country. “Martsishor” started at the Philharmonic, but this now has a temporary home and five concerts will be staged there. On March 4, soloists of the Romanian National Opera will give a performance of canzonets in Chisinau. Concerts will also be given by violinist Alexandra Conunova, who will return home, and a jazz band from the U.S. Twelve concerts will be given in districts and these will involve national and invited artists.
Jana Tudose, musical secretary of the Organ Hall, said that this year they prepared several exceptional concerts with special invitees, such as violinist Dan Iulian Druțac, the National Chamber Orchestra and conductor Cristian Florea. The March 8 concert “Woman, eternal story” forms part of the same project. It is a jazz concert that will involve Diana Sitrohina and Mircea Tiberian. The concert of March 5 will involve the Symphonic Orchestra of the Philharmonic of Bucharest.
The National Ballet “Joc” comes with a new format, said the ensemble’s director Aliona Strâmbeanu. “We plan an ambitious program. For 57 years since “Martsishor” has been staged, “Joc” has presented performances. Through its essence, the National Ballet “Joc” includes international dances in its repertoire. This year we will have Bulgarian and Gypsy dances. We will be present at the inauguration of “Martsishor” festival in Strășeni on March 1, while on March 5 we will perform at the National Palace “Nicolae Sulac”,” stated Aliona Strâmbeanu.
Sergiu Prodan noted that this year the Ministry of Culture has allocated over 2 million lei for organizing the International Music Festival “Martsishor”. The money will primarily go to financially motivate national artists and to cover particular costs for invited artists. The festival this year will involve artists from eight countries.