London Bulgarian Choir

The London Bulgarian Choir is a vibrant, sociable and open-hearted group of singers embracing all nationalities, ages and abilities.

The Choir was founded in 2000 by Dessislava Stefanova, former singer with the Philip Koutev National Folk Ensemble. Thanks to her patience and dedication, this group of largely non-Bulgarian singers has become a performing tour de force, winning hearts and minds from the Yorkshire Dales to Bulgaria’s mountain villages. It has brought its repertoire of traditional Bulgarian songs in concert halls, nightclubs, churches, festivals, rock concerts, embassies, village squares and a barge on the Thames.

In 2006, the Choir won BBC Radio 3 Open Choir of the Year, becoming the first choir to be awarded this title. In 2007, they were the subject of a BBC Radio 4 documentary: Joan Armatrading’s Favourite Choirs. They have collaborated with numerous rock, jazz and classical musicians, most notably the BBC Electric Proms with rock band Doves, broadcast live on BBC 2 in October 2009.

The London Bulgarian Choir has released one album, Alyana Galyana. Members of the Choir sang on the soundtracks of the BBC’s Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen which won the Ivor Novello award for Best Television Soundrack.

"A guaranteed stunning, aural delight" TimeOut preview (2009).

“This was a magical performance from start to finish: technical, dynamic and moving.” Howard Goodall, composer, broadcaster (2006).