Lege Artis Choir

The Lege Artis Chamber Choir was established by Boris Abalyan in 1987 (Latin name of the choir means: “in accordance with all the rules of art”). The choir consists of 25 musicians. In the very first years of its existence, Lege Artis became recognized and widely known, winning five international competitions (Neerpelt, Belgium, 1990; Montreux, Switzerland, 1991; Tours, France, 1991; Darmstadt, Germany, 1995; Torrevieja, Spain, 1997).
Today, Lege Artis enjoys a stable international reputation of a highly professional ensemble; the choir frequently tours in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, France, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Estonia. At home, in St. Petersburg, Lege Artis participates in numerous festivals, such as White Nights or Palaces of St. Petersburg.
Every year, the choir presents new diversified a cappella programs at the best halls of St. Petersburg. Moreover, the choir performs cantatas and oratorios (Masses of Bach, Mozart, and Schubert, Mozart’s Requiem, St. John Passion, St. Matthew Passion, and Christmas Oratorio of Bach, Handel's oratorios, and Purcell’s anthems.)
The 20th century music is what Boris Abalyan and Lege Artis love the most. The ensemble’s repertoire contains works of Stravinsky, Debussy, Poulenc, Hindemith, Penderecki, and of St. Petersburg’s remarkable composers: V. Gavrilin, S. Slonimsky, A. Knaifel, and D. Smirnov.


Boris Abalyan – artistic director and conductor

Boris Abalyan was born in 1947 in St. Petersburg, where he finished Glinka Choir School and graduated from the Conservatory. Currently, he teaches conducting at the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in St. Petersburg.
In 1987, Boris Abalyan founded the Lege Artis Chamber Choir, and his career has been inseparable from the ensemble since then. Together they give concerts all over the world, they have 17 CDs to their credit. Boris Abalyan participated in many prestigious choir competitions, both as a conductor and as member of the jury. In 1999 he received Special Prize at the Marktoberdorf Choir Competition in Germany.
The artistic achievements of the Lege Artis Choir, enthusiastically received by audience and critics alike, prove the versatility and universality of maestro Abalyan’s musical horizons.