Corul Madrigal announces its Christmas market

Bucharest, 25 November 2021 
Opera Națională București and Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”, together with the Cantus Mundi National Programme, announce the organisation of Romania’s first Christmas market devoted exclusively to classical music for the winter holidays: „Classical Christmas Market”.
For the first time in its century-long history, Opera Națională București is organising a Christmas market. It will take place outdoors from 3 to 31 December 2021 on the National Opera Esplanade in central Bucharest, at Bulevardul Mihai Kogălniceanu 70-72.

The two major cultural institutions, which promote classical music and music education, will offer a high-quality event for all ages, with a varied, attractive and educational programme and impressive set design.

„Classical Christmas Market” will occupy 12.000 square metres, with fairytale sets and activities arranged around the ice rink, the market’s main attraction. Visitors can also enjoy a dedicated carolling stage for performances and concerts by children from the Cantus Mundi National Programme and others, elves’ workshops and workshops for young children, amazing sleigh flights above the ice rink, rides on Express-ul OCC – the little train provided by partners Opera Comică pentru Copii – and horse-drawn carriage rides, traditional stalls filled with festive treats and many other surprises, all accompanied by plenty of good music. 

„Together with our partners at Opera Națională București, and with the support of Opera Comică pentru Copii and ROMSILVA, we wanted to complement the emotion and charm of the winter holidays with an experience that is both educational and entertaining, and to „invite” good music to enrich this much-loved month in a fairytale setting. Classical Christmas Market will offer every child and adult a little Christmas magic and that authentic, familiar festive feeling of belonging and safety, especially during this difficult period for us all” – said Emil Pantelimon, Manager of Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”.

During the market, the Opera’s main auditorium will host several special performances: the centenary premiere of „Lohengrin” by Wagner (directed by Silviu Purcărete – 8, 10 and 12 December), Seara Tinerilor Coregrafi (14 December), the ballet „Spărgătorul de nuci” by Ceaikovski (15, 18, 23 and 29 December), „La Traviata” by Verdi (19 and 22 December), „Nunta lui Figaro” by Mozart (18 December) and „La Bohème” by Puccini (29 December), organised by Opera Națională București, alongside Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”’s Christmas performance „Pe drumul Crăciunului” (16, 17 December).

Organisers Opera Națională București, Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”

Partners, Opera Comică pentru Copii, Regia Națională a Pădurilor ROMSILVA

Event recommended by: Europa FM

Media partners: AGERPRES, România TV, Zile și Nopți, Ziarul Metropolis, Observator Cultural, Radio România Cultural, Radio România Muzical, Radio France International, Radio Seven, Radio Itsy Bitsy, Forbes, Leviathan, Spot Media, Marea Dragoste, Ordinea Zilei, News București, Reușita TV, București Business, 9am, Kudika, Garbo, Ballet Magazine, Notorious Stories, Timpul, a7tv, Media Trust, Bookhub, Revista Psychologies

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Opera Națională București, an institution under the Ministry of Culture, is Romania’s foremost stage for music and choreography. Formally institutionalised in 1921 and marking its centenary in 2021, Opera Naţională Bucureşti grew out of Compania Opera Română, founded by George Stephănescu in 1885, which presented its performances at Teatrul Național. The first official performance took place on 8 December 1921 with „Lohengrin” by Richard Wagner. The great composer George Enescu conducted, wishing to underline his support and active involvement in bringing about this historic moment in Romanian culture. This year, again on 8 December, a centenary production of the same work is scheduled, directed by Silviu Purcarete and featuring an internationally renowned cast.

Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin” is an emblem of Romanian and international musical life. Since its foundation in 1963 by conductor Marin Constantin (1925–2011), Corul Madrigal has given more than 4.600 concerts acclaimed around the world, establishing itself as a true national brand. It is one of the world’s benchmarks for chamber choral music, with a repertoire centred on the European Renaissance, Byzantine music and contemporary Romanian and international works. In November 2016, Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin” was officially recognised as an Ambassador of Freedom, Hope and Peace, receiving the „Jean Nussbaum and Eleanor Roosevelt” award at the United Nations Palace in Geneva during the Global Summit on Religion, Peace and Security. After 58 years of uninterrupted activity, Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”, a public concert institution of national importance under Romania’s Ministry of Culture, continues its cultural diplomacy as one of Europe’s longest-established and most highly regarded choral ensembles.
Since 2011, Corul Madrigal has run the Cantus Mundi National Programme, Romania’s largest programme for children’s social inclusion through music, initiated by conductor Ion Marin, which currently brings together more than 1.680 choirs and over 60.000 children in Romania and the diaspora.