The Romanian Cultural Institute in Tokyo supports the extraordinary tour of the National Chamber Choir “Madrigal – Marin Constantin” in Japan, through which the Romanian ensemble promotes the artistic excellence of Romanian and European choral music, in dialogue with the Japanese cultural universe.
“The Romanian Cultural Institute is pleased to support the National Chamber Choir “Madrigal – Marin Constantin” in its tour of Japan and in particular two key moments: the series of concerts held within the World Exhibition in Osaka and the presence at the International Choral Music Festival in Yokohama. The opening of the Romanian Cultural Institute's representative office in Tokyo in November 2024 represents a catalyst for the development of cultural relations between Romania and Japan, and this exceptional tour, 35 years after the previous one, provides the premises for future partnerships and relevant cultural projects in the region", states Liviu Jicman, president of the Romanian Cultural Institute.
The two performances supported by the ICR Tokyo will take place at the Osaka International Exhibition - August 19, 6:00 PM, at the Expo Hall "Shining Hat" and at the Yokohama International Choral Music Festival, on August 23.
The "Music for the Future" event within Expo Osaka is structured as a 45-minute interpretative choral performance and brings together works by contemporary and classical composers, such as Ola Gjeilo, Christopher Tin, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Vytautas Miškinis, Krzystof Penderecki, Sabin Păutza or Cornelia Tăutu.
Conductor: Anna Ungureanu. The performance will also feature soloists Florentina Pușcoi, Denis Maxim, Anna Mirescu, as well as piano accompaniment (Abel Corban) and percussion (Adrian Năstac, Emanuel Pecingină), in formulas that combine vocal and dramatic visual elements, in a captivating artistic approach. The Madrigal Choir will also present, at the Romanian Pavilion at Expo Osaka, two other special programs – “Madrigal for Babies” (August 20) and “Music of the European Renaissance” (August 21) – realized with the support of partners and sponsors.
At the prestigious Yokohama International Choral Music Festival, the Madrigal Choir will perform works from the Romanian repertoire, such as “Fluieraşe și buciume” (Mihai Moldovan), pieces from Codex Caioni (Constantin Rîpă), “Sârba pe scaun” (Alexandru Pașcanu), “Jocuri” (Cornelia Tăutu), as well as “Cântec și joc (Mociriță)” arranged by Dan Mihai Goia. Conductor: Anna Ungureanu | Percussion: Emanuel Pecingină | Soloist: Denis Maxim
The project strengthens Romania’s cultural presence in Asia, by promoting the performing arts and Romanian choral heritage in an international framework of maximum visibility. The concerts become a space for intercultural dialogue and creative expression, in which Romanian musical traditions are reinterpreted in a contemporary key and presented to the Japanese audience in a refined artistic form.
The National Chamber Choir "Madrigal - Marin Constantin" is an emblem of Romanian and universal musical life. Since its founding in 1963, by conductor Marin Constantin (1925–2011), the Madrigal Choir has performed over 4,600 acclaimed concerts worldwide, thus establishing itself as a true national brand. It is one of the world's benchmarks in chamber choral music, with a repertoire focused on the European Renaissance, Byzantine music and contemporary Romanian and universal creation. In November 2016, the National Chamber Choir "Madrigal - Marin Constantin" was officially recognized as an Ambassador of Freedom, Hope and Peace, receiving the "Jean Nussbaum and Eleanor Roosevelt" award at the United Nations Palace in Geneva, within the Global Summit on Religion, Peace and Security. After 62 years of uninterrupted activity, the "Madrigal - Marin Constantin" National Chamber Choir, a public concert institution of national importance, subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of Romania, continues its path of cultural diplomacy, being one of the longest-lived and most appreciated European choral ensembles.
