Chamber Choir “GLORIA”

Chamber Choir “GLORIA” has existed for more than 30 years. From the very beginning, it brings together dedicated singing musicians – mostly students and graduates of the Lviv Conservatory. The choir operates within the framework of the Lviv Branch of the Composers’ Union of Ukraine. It was founded in 1989 by conductor Yaroslav Hnatovsky and Volodymyr Syvokhip, who served as president and manager. In 1999 Volodymyr Syvokhip took over as conductor and artistic director of the ensemble.

GLORIA soon attested to its high performance level by winning a number of prizes at international competitions – the Athens International Choral Competition, the Florilege Vocal de Tours in France, the International Choral Competition in Riva del Garda and the G. D’Arezzo Polyphonic Choral Competition in Arezzo, Italy.

The ensemble’s repertoire consists of both native Ukrainian music and world classics. “GLORIA” brought back to concert life many Ukrainian forgotten works, once again proving how important choral practice was in the development of Ukrainian music. From Dyletsky, through the classics – Bortniansky, Berezowsky and Vedel, as well as the representative of the “Peremysl school of composition” in the first half of the 19th century, Mykhailo Verbytsky, to contemporary works – Myroslav Skoryk, Yevhen Stankovych and the youngest generation of Lviv composers – Bohdan Sehin and Bohdana Frolyak – “GLORIA” demonstrates the continuity and richness of the Ukrainian choral tradition, repeatedly taking part in premieres of works.

Nevertheless, an important part of “GLORIA’s” repertoire is world classics. “Passion According to St. John” by J.S. Bach, participation in the performance of “Carmina Burana” by Orf, as well as a wide presentation of works by Arvo Pärt – this is just a sample of the ensemble’s creative explorations.

GLORIA has performed at many music festivals. It is a regular participant in the International Festival of Contemporary Music “Contrasts” in Lviv. The choir took part in the Festival “Days of Macedonian Music” in Skopje, Kyiv Music Fest, “Virtuosos” in Lviv, “Music in Old Cracow”, Days of Music of Cracow Composers”, “Days of Ukrainian Music in Warsaw”, “Old Music Festival” in Stary Sacz and many others. The ensemble has toured Poland, Germany, Finland and Ukraine. It also has recordings to its credit, including participation in the production of the first CD with a recording of Bortniansky’s opera “Alcide” (French-Ukrainian co-production), a recording of Skoryk’s “Panichida”, as well as works by M. Lysenko and K. Stetsenko.

In 2003, the “GLORIA” Choir was awarded the Mykola Lysenko State Prize for its achievements in Ukrainian musical culture.