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Šiauliai State Chamber Choir "Polifonija" is one of the most known professional Lithuanian choirs.
The collective started its activity in 1974. Talented conductor and big enthusiast Sigitas Vaičiulionis founded vocal ensemble of old music "Polifonija", the only one in Lithuania which has been playing music of composers of Renaissance and Baroque epochs. At first the collective was patronised by Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute, and later by Šiauliai Higher Music School.
In 1986 "Polifonija" was given professional status and the ensemble had become Šiauliai State Chamber Mixed Choir of Lithuanian National Philharmonic. Core of the ensemble was from former "Polifonija" singers, having musical education.
In 1998 "Polifonija" had become the Šiauliai State Chamber Choir.
In 2004 the collective celebrated its 30 year anniversary.
Since 2006 "Polifonija" is under the leadership of Gediminas Ramanauskas.
Choir's repertoire is particularly wide: from Renaissance and Baroque to Contemporary music, from choral miniatures to big form works, e.g., J.S.Bach "Johanness Passion"; L. van Beethoven "Messe C-dur", J.Haydn "Requiem"; W.A.Mozart "Litania Lauretanea", "Vesperae solennes de confessore", "Requiem"; F.Liszt "Christus"; C.Orff "Carmina Burana", etc.
During existence of more than thirty years the choir performed not only in Lithuania, but also in Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Bulgaria, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina. In festivals in above mentioned countries the choir has been awarded laureate titles and other prizes.
The choir performed with well-known symphonic and chamber orchestras, soloists and conductors.
In 1978 on initiative of Sigitas Vaičiulionis and his wife Danutė Vaičiulionienė festivals of classical music were started to organise in Šiauliai. Later (in 1989) they transformed into annual International Sacred Music Festivals organised in Šiauliai Cathedral during the Easter week. In 2007 the event was renamed into Šiauliai International Easter Music Festival "Resurexit".
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