The “Sargeția – Nicolae Icobescu” Choir from Deva was founded in January 1998 at the initiative of Professor Nicolae Icobescu and soloist Gheorghe Pop, carrying a name rich in historical and cultural meaning. The name originates from a choral work entitled “Sarmizegetusa”, whose verses recall: “On the banks of the Sargeția / Sarmizegetusa rises.” Over time, the choir has built a remarkable identity through a diverse repertoire, which includes Romanian creations — from I. Vidu and Gh. Dima to George Enescu — as well as masterpieces of universal polyphonic music signed by Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, or Orlando di Lasso.
Initially led by founder Nicolae Icobescu, the choir was later conducted by Professor Mihaela Popa, a member of the ensemble since 2004. Today, the artistic leadership has been taken over by Adrian Vinars, who carries forward the legacy and spirit of the “Sargeția” Choir, bringing new energy while maintaining a balance between tradition and modernity.
The choir’s interpretive quality has been recognized through numerous awards both nationally and internationally. Among its achievements are the First Prize and Grand Trophy at the Liviu Borlan International Choral Festival in Baia Mare, as well as the Silver Medal at the International Choral Festival of Krakow, in competition with over 20 European and worldwide choirs.
On the Romanian stage, the choir has participated in prestigious cultural events — including Sibiu (European Capital of Culture), the “Ion Vidu” Choral Festival in Lugoj, the “Antonio Sequens” Choral Festival in Caransebeș, the National Choral Festival in Cernavodă, and the Christmas Choral Festival in Orăștie. Abroad, the ensemble has extended its reputation through tours in Hungary, Austria, Italy, and other European countries, always warmly received by audiences.
A particularly memorable event took place on October 28, 2023, when the choir celebrated a quarter century of existence with the anniversary concert “Sargeția-25”, held in the Great Hall of the “Drăgan Muntean” Cultural Center in Deva. The choir’s activity has also been documented in the volume “The Long Paths Towards SARGEȚIA”, published in 2021 by musicologist Prof. Dumitru Jompan and conductor Nicolae Icobescu, a monograph that highlights the ensemble’s artistic journey and cultural impact.
Today, under the baton of Adrian Vinars, the “Sargeția” Choir continues to be an ambassador of Romanian and European choral values, proving through every concert that passion, unity, and tradition can be passed on to future generations.