Polifonija

The State Chamber Choir Polifonija from Šiauliai (Lithuania), under the artistic direction and chief conductor Povilas Vanžodis, is one of Lithuania’s best-known professional choirs. It was founded in 1974 by conductor Sigitas Vaičiulionis for the New Year’s Concert, which has been held annually ever since. Polifonija is the only early music vocal ensemble in Lithuania that performs works by Renaissance and Baroque composers. Initially, it was supported by the Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute, and later by the Šiauliai Conservatory. In 1979, it was awarded the title of national ensemble and the choir was given the name “Polifonija”; in 1986, Polifonija received the status of a professional ensemble and became the State Chamber Choir of the Lithuanian State Philharmonic in Šiauliai. Today, Polifonija is committed to promoting Lithuanian choral music and preserving the tradition of Lithuanian choral art. In its approximately fifty years of existence, the choir has given around 4,000 concerts and toured almost all European countries, as well as Russia, Argentina, and Brazil. It has won prizes at several international competitions.