Launch of the video MÉRIDA – EFEMERIDE

Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin” and Institutul Cultural Român invite the public to the official launch of the video „Mérida – Efemeride”, Madrigal’s latest multimedia production. 

Filmed among the more than 2.000-year-old remains of the Roman Theatre in Mérida, one of Spain’s most important UNESCO sites, and set to a score by contemporary composer Anatol Vieru, the video is the fifth episode in the ensemble’s multimedia programme, „Muzică contemporană românească în spații antice universale”.

The video introduces audiences to a gem of Romanian contemporary music – „Efemeride”, an excerpt from the innovative oratorio „Clepsidra II” for orchestra, choir, panpipes and cimbalom, by Romanian composer Anatol Vieru (b. 1926 – d. 1998), a major figure in twentieth-century music and a close collaborator of the Madrigal Choir and its founder, Maestro Marin Constantin.  

The official launch of the video „Mérida – Efemeride” marks National Culture Day and 100 years since the birth of musician Anatol Vieru. The event will take place on Thursday, 15 January 2026, from 17:30, at Cinema City – Mega Mall București, with the Madrigal Choir in attendance. The choir will also give a short recital of Romanian music. Conductor Anna Ungureanu, director Emil Pantelimon and members of the production team will also be present, along with other guests from the cultural and diplomatic communities.

Admission is free, subject to seat availability, and exclusively by online reservation.

On the same day, 15 January 2026, in collaboration with Metrorex, Madrigal’s new video „Mérida – Efemeride” will greet passengers passing through Unirii 1 metro station between 6:00 and 20:00, with screenings on a large screen. From 10:00, the video will be launched on Madrigal’s online channels, – Madrigal website | Madrigal Facebook | Madrigal Instagram |  Madrigal YouTube. The piece will also be available on all audio streaming platforms.

A distinguished champion of contemporary music, the Madrigal Choir has given numerous Romanian and international premieres of works by Romanian composers throughout its history. Anatol Vieru’s remarkable work, „Clepsidra II” for orchestra, choir, panpipes and cimbalom, was presented to the public on 20 November 1972, at the first concert-discussion of the Radiodifuziunea Română season, with an exceptional line-up: Orchestra Simfonică a Radioteleviziunii, conducted by Iosif Conta, and the Madrigal Choir, conducted by Maestro Marin Constantin, alongside Gheorghe Zamfir (panpipes) and Pantelimon Stîngă (cimbalom).

The production „Mérida – Efemeride” is part of the Madrigal Choir’s extensive multimedia programme, „Muzică contemporană românească în spații antice universale”, launched on 15 January 2024 to mark National Culture Day. Other videos in the series include „Otrar – Jocuri”, filmed in Otrar (Kazakhstan) to music by composer Cornelia Tăutu, „Panteon – Festum Hibernum”, filmed in Rome to a work by Alexandru Pașcanu, „Machu Picchu – Suită corală din Țara Oașului”, filmed at Machu Picchu to music by Dariu Pop, and „Sarmizegetusa Regia – Flăcări și roți”, filmed at Sarmizegetusa Regia to music composed by Corneliu Cezar.

By bringing together seemingly divergent concepts, the programme „Muzică contemporană românească în spații antice universale” showcases emblematic ancient cultural sites and innovative works by contemporary Romanian composers. Through an unexpected perspective, the Madrigal Choir offers a new way of imagining the world’s architectural heritage, adding a valuable sonic dimension through Romanian contemporary music.

The video „Mérida – Efemeride” was filmed in November 2025 during the „Madrigal în Spania” tour organised by Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin” and Ministerul Culturii, with support from Institutul Cultural Român, in collaboration with Ambasada României în Regatul Spaniei, Institutul Cultural Român de la Madrid, Consulatul General al României la Sevilla, Consulatul General al României la Madrid and Consorțiul Orașului Monumental Mérida.