After the full-scale invasion of Russian forces into Ukraine, there was a long pause. No one knew what would happen next or how soon it would all end. War…
When it became clear that Zhytomyr was not at the epicenter of events, I gave the signal to gather. Only 12 singers remained in the group—10 men and 2 women. Everyone else had left the country with their children.
What could we do, what could we sing? Previously, we performed pieces for 8-16 voices. I started forming a new ensemble. The women learned to sing in male vocal ranges, and thus our repertoire began to include wartime, heroic, lullaby, folk songs, as well as spiritual works by Ukrainian and international composers.
In the fall of 2022, we toured Europe, performing in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany. The concerts were highly successful. Listeners familiar with "Orea" noted the powerful energy emanating from the group and the high quality of our performance.
Later, two more women joined—soprano and alto—and then several others. I started creating arrangements for a mixed ensemble where the women sang in folk, pop, and classical styles.
Today, "Orea" consists of 20 members: 6 sopranos, 5 altos, 4 tenors, 2 baritones, and 3 basses.
Our repertoire is constantly growing and becoming more diverse. We perform many works by international composers and create unique arrangements tailored to this lineup.
Successful concerts have already been held in the philharmonics of Ternopil, Kyiv, and Lviv.
Alexander Vatsek is a distinguished choirmaster, conductor, vocal teacher, adjudicator, workshop leader, and arranger. He is the founder and artistic director of the award-winning Zhytomyr Academic Choral Capella "Oreya" (1986) and the "Gaudeamus" Choir at Brno University (1996).
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Vatsek's visionary leadership has solidified his status as one of the most influential figures in the world of choral music.
The choir Oreya was founded by Alexander Vatsek in 1986 as a Municipal Choir. Within four years, it began representing not only the Zhytomyr region but also Ukraine at international choral competitions. The Ukrainian flag was raised 25 times as "Oreya" from Zhytomyr claimed first place in intense competition.
From 1993 to 2014, the choir won the Grand Prix nine times at prestigious international choral competitions in Spain, Slovenia, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy. Additionally, in 2007, it claimed the top prize at the Kyiv National Chorus Competition named after Borys Lyatoshynskyi.
In 2008, the French Art Expert Council of "Polifoliya" selected "Oreya" as one of the 12 best professional ensembles in the world, alongside institutions such as the Music Academy of Stockholm, Tokyo, Helsinki, and Brussels. The choir’s performance received tremendous acclaim.
In August 2009, "Oreya" "opened" a new continent as the first creative team from the Zhytomyr region to be officially invited to participate in the International Festival of Choral Music in Incheon, South Korea. The organizers’ enthusiasm for the choir was so great that they exceeded their budgetary rules to cover the cost of airline tickets for "Oreya." The European continent was represented by the male quintet "Amarcord" from Germany and the Zhytomyr Chamber Choir.
The performance in South Korea was a major success. Fans eagerly sought autographs and photos with the singers throughout the week.
In May 2010, "Oreya" participated in the Musica Sacra International Festival—the prestigious World Festival of Sacred Music in Marktoberdorf, Germany. "Oreya" was the only choir from Eastern Europe presenting Orthodox music. Sharing the stage with world-renowned artists such as Yuri Bashmet and Mikhail Pletnev, the choir represented cultural and religious traditions, including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy. "Oreya" also had the honor of performing at Freising Cathedral near Munich, the last church served by Pope Benedict XVI before his papacy.
Today, "Oreya" is recognized as one of the most original choral ensembles in the world. For over 17 years, it has consistently maintained a high international rating, continuing to impress audiences and critics alike with its outstanding artistry.
The repertoire of Oreya is a special page indeed.
The choir performs in various styles, manners, and genres... From classical ancient music of the 16th century to contemporary composers, spirituals, and works from the repertoires of Swingle Singers, King Singers, and Pentatonix.
Formally, it ranges from J.S. Bach, John Farmer, and W.A. Mozart's Requiem to V. Silvestrov, H. Havrylets, and Vaclovas Augustinas' Marten Janson.
When you listen to Oreya, you experience every melodic move, every dynamic discovery… In short, you immerse yourself in the music, in O.V.’s interpretation, forgetting the composer or the country of origin. After the concert, all the listeners leave with smiles on their faces, reluctant to disperse.
They say that every piece is its own story, a complete masterpiece.