Riga Orthodox Chamber Choir "BLAGOVEST"

Latvia

Riga Orthodox Chamber Choir “Blagovest” (Latvia) was founded in 1990 with an aim to popularize forgotten treasures of Orthodox sacred music, which makes the most part of the choir's repertoire. The choir has wide range of interests: from monophonic neumatic chants, called ‘znamenniy raspev’, to polyphonic choir concertos and compositions of contemporary composers. Masterpieces of secular music, classics of Latvian choral music, folk songs are included in the choir's repertoire, as well. Sacred music performed by "Blagovest" moves and inspires listeners not only in Latvia, but all around the world. Under the leadership of its founder and artistic director Aleksandrs Brandavs the choir has received numerous awards and titles of various international choral competitions, including the title of Champion of the European Choir Games (2017), the Grand Prix of Nations in Riga, Latvia and Colombo, Sri Lanka (2017) in the category “musica sacra a cappella”, awards at the City of Derry International Choir Festival in Derry, Northern Ireland (2018) and Competition of Choral Singing in Spittal an der Drau, Austria (2019), the 1st place in the choral competition “Hajnowka’s Orthodox Church Music Days”, Poland (2020). In 2023, choir participated at the XXVII Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Festival. “Blagovest” has recorded seven CDs and a vinyl record, and realized number of inspiring cooperation projects with well-known composers, choirs, and singers both in Latvia and abroad, capturing more than 30 years of persistent work and excellent skill, combining at a high level of professionalism the best traditions of Latvian choral singing and the bright and heartfelt technique of performing Orthodox music.