Credit: Helen O'Mahony/Chronicle.lu
On Wednesday 20 November 2024, the Romanian National Chamber Choir “Madrigal – Marin Constantin” performed to a full house at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg-Ville.
The evening concert, which formed part of the “Bridges across Europe” tour was organised by the Embassy of Romania in Luxembourg and the Romanian Cultural Institute, Brussels to celebrate Romania’s National Day, which falls on Sunday 1 December 2024.
The audience in the packed Notre-Dame Cathedral included many ambassadors and distinguished guests. Audience members of every age were present with a strong attendance from the Romanian community.
Conducted by Anna Ungureanu, the thirteen sopranos, six altos, seven tenors and seven basses captivated the audience during the one-and-a-half-hour performance. Accompanied by Abel Corban on piano, the programme included Anton Pann’s “Wake up, Romania” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”. The approach of Christmas was acknowledged with John Rutter’s “Deck the Hall”, while the closing song was Lloyd Larsson’s “A Christmas Heritage”.
The “Madrigal – Marin Constantin” choir was founded in 1963 by the musician and composer Marin Constantin. It is considered a national institution in Romania. In 2016, it was officially recognised as an Ambassador of Freedom, Hope and Peace, receiving the Jean Nussbaum and Eleanor Roosevelt Award at the United Nations. Its repertoire ranges from Renaissance to Byzantine to contemporary Romanian music. The choir is also renowned for its historical costumes.
The choir last performed in Luxembourg 47 years ago and, in 1978, the creator of the choir, Marin Constantin, became an honorary citizen of Luxembourg. The choir also received the Honorary Diploma and the Grand Duke Adolphe award, as well as the Vermeil Medal in 1979.
