70 years ago on November 1, composer and conductor Svetoslav Obretenov created the first Bulgarian professional choir. Initially called State Radio Choir, in 1954 it was renamed the Bulgarian Choir Chapel. The choir gained world fame under the leadership of conductor Georgi Robev. An interview with the conductor is kept in the Golden Fund of the BNR.

 "Conductor Krum Boyadzhiev is the one who worked the longest with Obretenov. In 1955 conductor became Dimitar Ruskov. He took a rich heritage - as valuable as it is binding. He managed to develop it by enriching the repertoire and expanding recording and touring activities. For '10 years he was able to add about 600 songs to the repertoire and continued to work in the sphere of oratorio music, which was a goal of Svetoslav Obretenov himself. Masterpieces such as the Alexander Nevsky cantata by Prokofiev, Carmina Burana cantata by Carl Orff; 9-th Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven were performed. Another conductor who left a bright trace in the history of the choir is Vasil Arnaudov. For 2 years under his leadership a number of concerts took place, including one in the Bulgaria Hall during which the "Catulli Carmina”  cantata by Carl Orff was performed. Vasil Arnaudov included a number of contemporary works in the repertoire.

In 1981 the choir joined the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra; performing the best examples of a cappella choir classics and playing the role of a school for a number of successful conductors. The choir has had concerts in Europe, America, and Asia. The choir has constant presence in major European festivals such as Prague Spring, Bratislava Music Days, Brno Music Festival, Dresden Music Festival, and others. Here is what conductor Lubomir Mitropolitski said about the tours:

 "It is a fact that thanks to this choir a number of people around the world learned about Bulgaria. Despite the obstacles we encountered sometimes the choir was always happy that wherever we went, we managed to show the humanism of art and help people come together.”

 
Nowadays the choir is called Svetoslav Obretenov National Philharmonic Choir. The current 86th season of the Sofia Philharmonic will focus on the choir that celebrates its 70th anniversary.

English: Alexander Markov