Biography
Carmina Slovenica is one of the leading vocal institutions.
Carmina Slovenica, one of the world's leading vocal institutions, is world renowned for its unconventional, progressive and innovative artistic concept of superb singing, drama, and movement.
Carmina Slovenica's unique choregie concept of music theatre projects with adventurous juxtaposition of music from medieval to the present times with fascinating sounds of extended vocal techniques is led by the internationally acclaimed conductor and director Karmina Šilec. With her boldness, provocativeness and erudition that bears no comparison Karmina Šilec transformed this vocal ensemble into a superior artistic formation of the highest rank. The performances of the ensemble are well-known for the precise vocal discipline, exuberant physicality, energy, musical and scenic imagination, authenticity and artistic persuasiveness.
Carmina Slovenica completely revaluated the existing concepts of vocal music and opened up new spaces of expression. It creates a highly theatrical and visceral experience through vocal music that is both unexpected and provocative. What is particularly fascinating is the sound itself being delivered by the performers with changes of various vocal techniques from throat singing to cultivated belcanto. The result is a unique musical experience.
Carmina Slovenica is noted for its innovative programming which explores works from the forefronts of the contemporary music scene.
The ensemble has performed on stages worldwide – from Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Grand St. Petersburg Philharmonic Hall, Esplanade Singapore, Teresa Carreño Theatre Caracas, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, RadialSystem Berlin, San Francisco Symphony Hall to Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Jahrhuderthalle Bochum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Théâtre de la Ville Paris, Auditorium Rome.
Carmina Slovenica has been invited to art events of the highest esteem such as the World Music Days (organized by the ISCM), Prototype Festival New York, Festival d’Automne á Paris, Moscow Easter Festival, Dresdner Musikfestspiele, Ruhrtriennale, the European Symposium on Choral Music (organized by the IFCM), Steirischer Herbst, Holland Festival, Polyfollia, America Cantat, Kunstenfestivaldesarts Brussels, Europa Cantat, Nuit de Choer Brusseless, KunstFestSpiele Herrenhausen, Lublin Theatre Confrontation Festival, Melbourne Festival, International Festival Beijing, Choir Olympics etc.
The main aim of the ensemble and its artistic director is a continual search for new music and new fields of work which has already shown results in a wide repertoire it has today; from early and ethnic vocal music to the latest avant-garde. Carmina Slovenica with its characteristic sound and wide-ranged virtuosity is the ideal ensemble for different repertoires − from a cappella music of all genres to vocal instrumental projects.
Concert tours in almost all countries of Europe, the USA, Canada, Africa, Central and South America, Japan, Malaysia, Australia and China, many top awards at international choral competitions, participation in various international projects, recordings made for many radio and television stations, 19 CDs, 3 DVDs and 1 LP produced, excellent reviews of the ensemble's performances by musical experts and critics ... all these achievements speak for themselves and confirm the ensemble‘s remarkable reputation.
Carmina Slovenica was awarded by more than 100 awards and recognitions at home and abroad, among them with prestigious theater award Golden Mask, the Prešern Found Award, Ford Award for preservation of natural and cultural heritage, absolute first place with 100% points at International competition Kalundborg at Denmark, with most outstanding choir of competition "Kathaumixw 94", and many others. Carmina Slovenica performs with an artistry that inspires audiences and critics alike and stands as a role model in the international choir movement.
Choregie projects Toxic Psalms, Fortuna Won't Be Fauvel's Match!, Placebo, Vampirabile, Rusalke, Toxic Psalms, From time immemorial, Scivias, When the mountain changed its clothing, CS Light, Adiemus, and many others have been received with high praise.