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 The Choir
The State Choir Latvija
State Choir Latvija is to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2012. The choir is a four-time receiver of the Great Music Award of Latvia (in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2009). In 2003, the Choir was presented with the Award of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia. In 2007, it was given the Award of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
Since 1997, general manager Maris Oslejs.
Since 1997 the artistic director and chief conductor Maris Sirmais.
The State Choir “Latvija” is the biggest concert choir in Latvia. Its repertoire is based on golden pieces from 18th – 20th century European classical music. Still the choir keeps updating its repertoire with such interesting projects as for instance film music (“Perfume”, 2006).
Over the recent years, the choir has co-operated with the leading symphony orchestras of Singapore, Israel, Germany, France, Estonia, Moscow and St. Petersburg, and smaller ensembles such as Absolut Ensemble, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and the outstanding conductors Mariss Jansons, Neeme Järvi, Mstislav Rostropovich, Kristjan Järvi, Pavo Järvi, Valery Gergiev, Zubin Mehta, Jeffrey Tate, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Andris Nelsons, Tõnu Kaljuste and others.
Most significant recent concerts:
September 2009 – debut in Festspiel Berlin and debut in Hamburg Laeiszhalle (season opening concert with Hamburg Symphony Orchestra).
July 17, 2009 State Choir “Latvija” performs “The Sealed Angel” by Rodion Shchedrin in Rheingau Music Festival. Rodion Shchedrin names the choir as the best in the world.
March 30, 2009 State Choir Latvija had debut in Lucerne festival, performing Chapter Eight by Alexander Knaifel.
In September 2008 State Choir Latvija had debut in Finlandia Hall.
In the beginning of 2008, the Choir gave world premiere of Deer’s Cry by Arvo Part in Ireland, concert Baltic Voices.
In 2007 choir celebrated anniversary of Sacred Music Festival, which already 10 years is organized by State Choir Latvija. For the reason that this was a special year for the festival, State Choir Latvija produced L. Bernstein’s Mass which was premiere in Latvia. For this and two more concerts State Choir Latvia gets three nominations in Award of culture 2007 form the biggest Latvian national newspaper Diena. Also State Choir Latvija receives culture award from the Ministry of Culture Trīs Brāļi (Three Brothers). The Choir was nominated for it in the category Culture for state development. The Festival
takes important place among Latvian cultural events and year by year it is gaining wider international resonance.
In September of 2007 State Choir Latvija was visiting Bremen music festival. In two concerts with great success the choir gave world premiere for Russian Requiem by Lera Auerbach.
One month later State Choir Latvija was visiting Brussels were the choir took part in EUROPALIA 2007 festival. This is the first year when State Choir Latvia is joining this festival.
But in the December State Choir Latvija was celebrating its 65th anniversary and in honor for this celebration there were 2 Latvian premiers of the famous works
by great composers. The first was Itaipu by Philp Glass, and the second one was 2000 Today, a world’s symphony for the millennium by Tan Dun.
In March 2006 State Choir Latvija together with Gustav Mahler's chamber orchestra and conductor Tonu Kaljuste had a performance in Ferrara, Italy, performing Arvo Paert's works In principio and Cecilia, vergine romana.
In June 2005, the choir performed Igor Stravinsky Les Noces in Singapore Arts Festival, as well as gave a solo concert performing a cappella program with the conductor Māris Sirmais.In April 2005, the choir participated in the performance of Luciano Berio Coro in Tallinn (Estonia) concert hall Estonia with the conductor Tonu Kaljuste. In February 2005, the choir performed in the concert of Veljo Tormis music, dedicated to his 75 Jubilee, in Riga Latvian Society house.
In October, November 2004, the choir performed in four European capitals - Paris, Berlin, Stockholm and Tallinn, as well as several other cities. In September 2004, within the 7th International Sacred Music Festival the choir organized and performed in the concert of the world  famous composer Ser John Tavener. In May 2004, in Singapore, the choir participated in the first performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8 in South East Asia, with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and conductor Lan Shui. On 1 May 2004, in Ireland, the State Choir Latvija represented Latvian choirs at the European Union enlargement celebration with several concerts organised by the European Union and presented within the cultural program Day of welcomes.
In September 2003, within the 6th International Sacred Music Festival the choir organized and performed in the concert of the world famous Estonian composer Arvo Part in the Riga Dome Cathedral.
2000-2006 in Germany, Austria - participation in XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII International Bodensee Festival.
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