Anniversary Concert, June 18, 2013, Bulgaria Hall
Art Panorama Magazine, No. 2 – September 2013
Evelina Krasteva
The Sofia Boys’ Choir — 45 Years of Courage, Passion, and Boldness
The Sofia Boys’ Choir at the community center “Tsar Boris III – 1928” was founded in 1968. It is the first Bulgarian boys’ choir and is celebrating its 45th anniversary on stage this year. A significant representative of Bulgarian choral art, the boys’ choir has preserved its refined sound and the fire in the eyes of the children to this day.
This fire has been burning for 45 years thanks to two exceptional women who have left their creative imprint for generations. The founder and first conductor of the choir is Lilyana Todorova, who, following the example of her colleagues in the mid-1960s, boldly and foresightedly embarked on an initiative that had not yet been developed — forming a boys’ choir. Twenty-one years later, in 1989, she retired, and the choir’s new principal conductor became Assoc. Prof. Adriana Blagoeva, who continues to lead the ensemble today. The choir now boasts an impressive record of concerts, recordings, and numerous awards from prestigious Bulgarian and international music forums.
I have had various professional interactions with Assoc. Prof. Adriana Blagoeva, but this was my first opportunity to discuss her vocal work with the boys, the aspirations and challenges a conductor faces, and how a choir is kept “in tempo” during years of transition. (This article includes excerpts from an interview conducted by Evelina Krasteva with conductor Adriana Blagoeva on July 18, 2013.)
After 21 years of successful concerts and numerous awards, Lilyana Todorova “passed on” the Sofia Boys’ Choir to Adriana Blagoeva. According to the young conductor, the transition was smooth. The two women worked together during the 1988–1989 academic year, with Adriana Blagoeva rehearsing the youngest group while Lilyana Todorova worked with the concert ensemble. The collaborative process created favorable conditions for Todorova to conclude her leadership role and ensured a suitable and natural successor for the choir’s goals and vision. The process of succession in a choir is challenging, as finding a successor is often almost impossible for the outgoing conductor, while the incoming conductor faces an equally daunting path forward.
Adriana Blagoeva: “…The process of succession is very difficult because the two conductors must find common ground on many issues. The old conductor seeks a kindred spirit. Lilyana Todorova and I were fortunate, in my opinion — she for her wishes, I for mine. I wanted to start working, and although I had a preference for children’s ensembles, I did not yet have a clear concept of whether it would be a boys’ choir. So, we worked together for one year, after which Lilyana Todorova officially retired, and I took over her role. My main goal at the beginning was to gradually introduce new elements that inevitably come when a conductor changes. I had to act very carefully and delicately. I wanted the children to perceive me naturally so that we could continue working without problems. This process — both then and now — seems extremely challenging, and I am happy we managed it.”
Adriana Blagoeva sensed the children’s attitudes and successfully guided them through the transition. She works diligently to preserve the previous conductor’s style while introducing new repertoire innovations.
According to Blagoeva, the repertoire innovations are substantial. Since 1989, the Sofia Boys’ Choir has expanded its stylistic range significantly, performing music by composers from the 14th century to the present. She retains the traditional portion of the concert program — Bulgarian children’s music — while adding numerous arrangements of Bulgarian folklore. Many composers have written pieces specifically for the Sofia Boys’ Choir, including Todor Popov, Alexander Tanev, Alexander Tekeliev, Philip Pavlov, Petar Lyondev, Bension Eleizer, Plamen Arabov, Stoyan Babekov, Petar Krumov, and others. Another innovation is the introduction of Church Slavonic music, which Blagoeva notes is pioneering within children’s choirs in Bulgaria.
Evelina Krasteva: “…What arrangements do you use for Church Slavonic music — traditional mixed-choir arrangements or others?”
Adriana Blagoeva: “…All arrangements are mine. Everything our choir sings goes through me. Rarely is anything else needed. We use arrangements for homogeneous choirs, singing much one-voice music (monodies) with pure tone. Church Slavonic music, which we began performing about 20 years ago, is now a permanent part of our repertoire…”
The choir has also incorporated opera music into its programs, which has been very successful and well-received by both children and audiences. Blagoeva selects works by H. Purcell, G. F. Handel, W. A. Mozart, C. M. Weber, R. Wagner, C. Gounod, P. Mascagni, G. Donizetti, G. Rossini, A. Borodin, M. Dargomyzhsky, S. Rachmaninoff, J. Gershwin, L. Bernstein, as well as numerous Bulgarian composers.
Adriana Blagoeva: “…Opera repertoire is wonderful. It always brings positive energy to the performers — in our case, the children. Perhaps because operas and opera choruses are part of something bigger. There is dramatic action, a plot, and performing a moment from this action is very exciting. We have done this several times. The last time was in 2011 during the Sofia Music Weeks festival, with previous occasions throughout the years. Next season, we plan to expand the range further, including musical theatre, which is closer to our time.”
The choir has also performed in musical theatre, including Oliver! (2007–2010) alongside renowned Bulgarian actors, and participated in productions like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar. They have appeared in opera productions such as Tosca at the Sofia National Opera.
Blagoeva carefully works on vocal technique and age-appropriate repertoire. Children typically start at ages 8–10 and sing actively in the concert choir between ages 10–14, a period that often includes voice mutation, requiring flexibility and mobility in the ensemble. She observes that children’s voices today tend to change earlier than in previous decades.
The Sofia Boys’ Choir has released nine solo CDs under Blagoeva’s direction and has contributed to eight additional recordings with other artists. Their discography spans Catholic, Church Slavonic, folk, Christmas, and youth repertoire.
Blagoeva also formed a youth ensemble, composed exclusively of former members of the boys’ choir, maintaining continuity and nurturing talent. The four-part sound of the youth ensemble offers a richer harmonic experience, particularly enhancing Church Slavonic and Catholic music.
Celebrating 45 years of concert activity nationally and internationally, the Sofia Boys’ Choir continues to thrive thanks to the courage, energy, and dedication of Adriana Blagoeva. She remains the guiding force behind the choir’s enduring success, ensuring opportunities for children who love music and want to sing in a vibrant community.
Adriana Blagoeva: “…Working with children requires patience. That is the essence of working with young singers. We continue forward with respect for our past and faith in our future!”
Evelina Krasteva
