Advent concert

This year's Advent concert will see the Mešani pevski zbor / Mixed Choir Danica open the Advent season with a diverse program. Alongside Slovenian and German Advent and Marian hymns, the program will feature works by Alfred Schnittke, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Eric Whitacre, spanning from Orthodox choral music to contemporary compositions. The concert will be further enhanced by the instrumental accompaniment of the young clarinetist Lara Wakounig and her mother, the pianist Doris Wakounig.

The Mešani pevski zbor Danica is one of the most important pillars of Slovenian cultural life in the municipality of Škocijan / St. Kanzian. The choir is part of the Slovenian Cultural Association Danica, which also includes children's, youth, and senior ensembles – a true "choral pyramid." The focus of their work is the preservation of Slovenian folk and art songs; in addition, the choir performs choral and orchestral works, folk songs from other countries, and challenging a cappella compositions from various eras.

With its intensive concert activity and participation in competitions, the choir has made a name for itself beyond the borders of Carinthia. In 2012, it was chosen as "Carinthian Choir of the Year" at the first ORF Choir Competition, and in 2024 it won a gold award in the Sacred Song category at the international "Praga Cantat" competition , as well as first prize in the Folk Song category.

The choir has been directed since 1992 by Stanko Polzer, a music teacher at the BG/BRG for Slovenes in Klagenfurt. He also teaches music theory and piano at the Slovenian Music School of Carinthia, was a member of the artistic advisory board of the Carinthian Choir Academy, and regularly serves as a juror for the ORF Choir of the Year competition.

With this Advent concert, the Mešani pevski zbor / Mixed Choir Danica opens the door to the Christmas season with evocative sounds and melodies. Let yourself be enchanted!

November 30 / 11:00
Parish church of St. Jakob, Villach

Free entry – pay as you wish