Zhytomyr Academic Choral Capella
OREYA
Today, "Oreya" consists of 17 professional singers who combine academic precision, emotional depth, and expressive stage performance. What sets the ensemble apart is that most members do not hold formal academic music degrees — instead, the choir has developed its own internal training system and vocal academy, cultivating exceptional musical and theatrical skill.
"Oreya" is a laureate of more than 40 first prizes and 9 Grand Prix at the most prestigious international choral competitions in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Slovenia, South Korea, and beyond. The ensemble has performed over 2,000 concerts across more than 20 countries, proudly representing Ukraine on the global stage as a cultural ambassador.
More than just a choir, "Oreya" is a form of choral theater, where each piece becomes a full artistic performance. With unique vocal techniques, movement, and staging, the ensemble transforms concerts into unforgettable experiences, redefining what choral music can be.
- Marcel CorneloupPresident of the Association of French Choral in an interview with French radioOreya is one of the four best choirs in the world that I have ever heard. And this is the best ambassador of Ukraine that I have met.
- George PolyachenkoPresident of the International Festival of Orthodox MusicThis team is truly the best messenger of Ukrainian choral art! Moscow is taken! It was a real triumph of Ukrainian culture!
- Kolleen Parkartistic director of the South Korea festivalOreya is the Ambassador of Ukraine for all time, and the Zhytomyr choir brought us the new world standard of choral music!
- Gustav Adolf RabusPresident of the Musica Sacra International FestivalOreya, the Ukrainian choir from Zhytomyr, was an excellent choir in the festival and a major attraction for the public.
- Jacques Vanerleone of the greatest choral leaders in the worldI attended four of your concerts, and each time, your 'Kyrie' (Kyrie by Pärt Uusberg) struck me more and more deeply. Every time, something new emerged... I think Oreya is now the most meaningful, most impressive choir in Europe—and after a little thought, I would say—no, in the world!
"Guido d'Arezzo" in Arezzo, Italy
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).
Key Achievements:
- Grand Prix Wins: 10 (9 with "Oreya" and 1 with "Gaudeamus").
- First Prizes: 44 (40 with "Oreya" and 4 with "Gaudeamus").
- Recognized as one of the Top 20 Choral Conductors Worldwide by Christian Balandras for the French Ministry of Culture (2006).
Contributions:
- Served as a jury member for World Choir Games (2002–2006) and numerous prestigious international competitions.
- Conducted symphonic projects in France, Germany, Romania, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic.
- Delivered workshops across Canada, Italy, Germany, Latvia, Czech Republic, France, Ukraine, Spain, and Moldova.
Honors and Awards:
- Honored Member of Ukrainian Culture (1990) and Art (1994).
- Recipient of the State Award named after I. Ohienko (1996).
- Awarded the Order of Merit (III Degree) in 2008.
- Honored with the Order for Outstanding Achievement in Music by the National Tchaikovsky Music Academy (2009).
- Appointed Professor at Zhytomyr State University of Culture and Art (2009).
- Awarded the Order of Merit (II Degree) in 2021 by Zhytomyr Mayor Sukhomlyn.
Affiliations:
- Adviser to the Music Commission of Europa Cantat, Interkultur, and IFCM.
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.
Conductor / Artistic Director
