„Madrigal: Drumul Mătăsii” in Kazakhstan concludes

The „Drumul Mătăsii” tour in Kazakhstan concludes – A new chapter of success for Corul Madrigal

Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”, conducted by Anna Ungureanu, has successfully concluded its international „Drumul Mătăsii” tour in Kazakhstan, a strategic cultural diplomacy initiative designed to promote Romanian artistic heritage and strengthen intercultural relations in Central Asia.

Organised at the invitation and with the support of Her Excellency Mădălina Lupu, Romania’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan​, the Corul Madrigal tour visited venues emblematic of Kazakh history and culture: Opera din Astana, Muzeul Național al Republicii Kazahstan, Palatul Păcii și Reconcilierii (the Astana Pyramid) and the UNESCO site at Otrar, reaching a total audience of more than 4.000 people.

The „Drumul Mătăsii” tour in figures:

• More than 7.000 kilometres travelled;
• 47 artists, technicians and logistics team members directly involved in delivering the tour;
• 4 major cultural events organised at 4 symbolic locations in Kazakhstan;
• More than 4.000 audience members – officials, diplomats, families, children, young people and culture enthusiasts;
• 5 international institutional collaborations initiated through this project;
• An international album launch: the album „Imnurile naționale ale statelor din Asia Centrală”;
• The latest filming of the European anthem „Odă bucuriei” at Palatul Păcii și Reconcilierii in Astana.

The tour opened with a moment of profound symbolic significance – the world premiere of the performance „Drumul Mătăsii”, conducted by Anna Ungureanu, on the stage of the prestigious Opera din Astana, one of Central Asia’s most imposing cultural institutions. Created especially for the occasion, the performance combined Romanian and international choral repertoire with original scenery and visual direction designed to reflect the idea of cultural journeys, exchange and convergence. The stage and lighting design, created entirely by Corul Madrigal’s team, complemented the musical emotion. The programme featured works from the Romanian repertoire, choral adaptations of the anthems of Central Asian countries and emblematic pieces from Kazakh folk music, such as „Yapurai” and „Agugai”, applauded by the audience during the performance. High-ranking officials, diplomats and representatives of the academic and cultural communities attended the event, which received sustained appreciation for the quality of its performance.

A distinctive moment in the tour programme was the concert „Madrigal for Babies”, conducted by Anna Ungureanu, held at Muzeul Național al Republicii Kazahstan and dedicated to the youngest listeners – babies. The concept, developed in Romania and successfully presented in several editions, was adapted for audiences in Kazakhstan for the first time. Parents and children were surrounded by warm lighting and harmonious sounds designed to encourage an emotional connection between young children, music and their surroundings. The experience was warmly appreciated and opened new conversations about early education through music.

Another important event was the launch of the album „Imnurile naționale ale statelor din Asia Centrală”, a project presented for the first time, from the international series „Madrigal: Anthems of the World”, bringing together choral adaptations of the national anthems of Romania, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This unprecedented musical initiative highlights mutual respect between cultures and art’s ability to unite diverse identities. The album was officially presented at a concert conducted by Anna Ungureanu, hosted by Palatul Păcii și Reconcilierii in Astana, in the presence of officials and the local cultural community, including Kazakhstan’s Romanian community, becoming a musical expression of the artistic partnership between Romania and Central Asia. Here, Corul Madrigal also filmed its latest performance of the European anthem, released on 9 June, Europe Day.

As part of the programme „Muzică contemporană românească în spații antice universale”, Corul Madrigal, the multimedia team and director Emil Pantelimon made a special recording of the piece „Jocuri”, by Cornelia Tăutu, in a unique setting: the ghost town of Otrar, an archaeological site of great importance included in UNESCO heritage. The initiative proposes reinterpreting modern Romanian music in settings of universal value, bringing the sounds of the present into dialogue with the architectural and historical past. The result is a music video to be released in June this year, promising an artistic production with international impact.

Official recognition soon followed. Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, sent a message of support: „We are grateful for the opportunity to experience Romania’s rich cultural heritage through Corul Madrigal’s performances. This cultural event took place in Kazakhstan for the first time and undoubtedly has historical significance.”

Emil Pantelimon, manager of Corul Madrigal, highlighted the tour’s strategic and artistic importance: „The tour in Kazakhstan was more than a musical journey – it reaffirmed the universal values of art and was an important step in strengthening Corul Madrigal’s role as a cultural ambassador for Romania. We met a warm audience, a genuine openness to cultural exchange and a deep appreciation for excellence in vocal performance. We thank the partners who made this project possible. We invite audiences to continue to join us, as many more surprises and special events lie ahead, through which Madrigal will bring Romania into the international cultural spotlight.”

In the anniversary year „Main Constantin 100”, Corul Madrigal continues its pursuit of excellence with new large-scale cultural initiatives designed to promote Romanian musical heritage on the world’s major stages.

The „Madrigal: Drumul Mătăsii” tour was organised by Corul Național de Cameră „Madrigal – Marin Constantin” and Ministerul Culturii, with important support from Ministerului Afacerilor Externe, Institutului Cultural Român and Ministerului Comunicării și Informațiilor din Republica Kazahstan, as well as from sponsors Rompetrol, EnergoBit and GRAMPET Group and partners SoundFeed, STRATULAT ALBULESCU Attorneys at Law, ⁠Warner Bros.Discovery.

Principal partner: Rompetrol (KMG International)

Media partners: AGERPRES, Agenția de cArte, Bookhub, București FM, Digi24, Europa FMEuronews România, Itsy Bitsy, Leviathan, Munteanu recomandă, Prima TV, Prima News, Radio France Internationale România, Radio România Cultural, Radio România Muzical, Radio Trinitas, Romania Journal, spotmedia.ro, TVR1, TVR Cultural, Zile și Nopți