The Bulgarian National Radio Children's Choir has a rich and geographically wide record of acknowledgement. Founded in 1960 by late conductor Hristo Nedyalkov, the choir has been applauded by audiences in New York, Washington DC, Beijing, London, Paris, Mexico City etc. In Japan the young singers have given close to 500 concerts in more than 150 cities during their 18 concert tours of the Land of the Rising Sun. The choir has been awarded on many occasions and in 2002 received the title Ambassador of European Culture from the EU Federation of Choirs. Today, the choir's chief conductor is Venezia Karamanova.

55 years ago, Maestro Nedyalkov chose for the choir's birthday March 21, the first day of spring on the calendar. More from conductor Venezia Karamanova:

"By tradition the Children's Radio Choir celebrates its birthday with songs and presents. This year we have invited friends, admirers and former choristers to join our gala on 21 March that will be hosted by Bulgaria Hall. In the first part of the concert we will sing some Children's Radio Choir classics. In the second one we will present our new repertoire.”

The special guest stars at the concert will be Maria Radoeva and Venezia Netsova, former soloists of the choir, and successful opera singers today. A few performances will be jointly with the representative brass band of the National Guard service with conductor Major Radi Radev. One of the surprises will be the appearance of a chamber formation of the Cosmic Voices ladies' choir with conductor Vania Moneva.

"We dedicate this concert to our Maestro Hristo Nedyalkov. This is the first anniversary that we mark without him, our founder and leader. This is the best way to show that we keep the traditions that he created, and that we are his dedicated followers", concludes Ms. Karamanova.

After the gala concert on 21 March the Children's Radio Choir is planning a tour of Bulgaria with its Easter program. One stopover is Plovdiv as the choir joins the Balabanov House Festival there.

English Daniela Konstantinova

Audio file contains the following pieces:

1. The Train of Dreams, composed and conducted by Hristo Nedyalkov

2. Esurientes by Giovanni Palestrina.

3. Maria Stuart's Prayer by Donizetti, soloist Maria Radoeva

4. Sing, by Joe Raposo