The first boys' choir in Bulgaria, founded in 1968, the Sofia Boys' Choir has been conducted by Adrian Blagoeva since 1989, who has led them in an active touring and recording schedule, and to numerous awards in international competitions. All sacred music and all organ accompanied, 'Laudate' features two works by Mozart, 'Ave Maria' and 'Ave verum corpus,' 5 works by Charles Gounod (1818-93), including 'Kyrie,' 'Gloria,' 'Sanctus,' and others, and 9 works by Giuseppe Zelioli (1880-1949), including the title song, 'Regina coeli,' 'Agnus Dei' and others. The clear, bell-like voices of the boys (ages 7 to 15) make 'Laudate' a treat throughout. The Sofia Boys' Choir has gained a reputation as one of the best in the world, and it is a reputation that is well deserved. They truly sing like angels!

Founded in 1968 for boys ages 7 to 15, about 40 of which appear in concert, Bulgaria's SBC has been directed since 1989 by the talented Adriana Blagoeva. They released their first CD in 1981, 'Britten' was recorded in 1993. The group has toured internationally, gaining a worldwide reputation for excellence performing a varied repertoire which includes Renaissance, Baroque, and Contemporary compositions by Bulgarian authors as well as large-scope cantata and oratorio works. This CD includes 5 works by Benjamin Britten (1913-76) and 17 by Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-36)-the Britten pieces have some organ accompaniment and feature two female sopranos, and the Pergolesi ones are orchestrally accompanied and feature a mezzo-soprano. The voices of the boys soar clear and sweet, and the adult soloists are wonderful. Heavenly sacred music, beautifully performed!

The Sofia Boys' Choir is one of the most prestigious Bulgarian choirs of its kind, winner of many awards at international and national competitions. Under the guidance of the talented Adriana Blagoeva, during the past few years the choir has widened the range of its repertoire by including masterpieces of sacred music - both Catholic and Orthodox. The performances are distinguished by the unique beauty of sounds of the boys' voices led by the conductor with great skill. Each song features not only the professionalism of the great choirs, but also precision of dynamics, accents and gradation, typical of religious singing. The singers and their musicality, the perfectly performed tunes, the crystal sounds, as well as the characteristic reverberation of the recordings that recreates the atmosphere in Alexander Nevsky Cathedral leave a deep impression.

On Magnificat by the Sofia Boys Choir, led by Adriana Blagoeva, the Bulgarian choir sings rarely performed works from the late Baroque and early Classical periods. The CD begins with the Magnificat by Czech composer _imon Brixi. This engaging piece is for four voice choir, SATB soloists and chamber orchestra. Also included on this release is the German Mass by Michael Haydn for four voice choir with Soprano and Tenor soloists and organ accompaniment.