The "Maria Tanase" Folk Ensemble

Founded in 1992 as a successor of the great "Nicolae Balcescu" Ensemble in Craiova, with the purpose of giving a scenic expression of the diversity of the Oltenian folklore and, at the same time, the folklore from all folk areas of Romania, the "Maria Tanase" Folk Ensemble built its reputation over the years and achieved success both in the country and abroad.
Displaying on stage the traditional dances with the utmost care and consistently promoting authentic folk songs turned the Maria Tanase Folk Ensemble into one of the most representative and valuable ensembles in Romania.

The choreography was assumed by master Marian Badea, master Puiu Vasilescu and then by the choreographer Marin Stîrcu, whose experience was continued by the talented master of dance,
Ionel Garoafa, who leads with great professionalism the ballet department made of 22 dancers .
The musical leadership was assured for 25 years by the famous violinist and conductor, Nicu Cretu, who originally made the musical arrangement for the orchestra composed of the 13 instrumentalists. The 13 soloists of the ensemble performing along with the orchestra:
Niculina Stoican
Mariana Ionescu Căpitănescu
Constantin Enceanu
Petrică Mîţu Stoian
Marius Măgureanu
Liliana Popa
Lavinia Bîrsoghe
Manuela Moţocu
Aneta Şişu
Cristi Banateanu
Ciri Mayer
Liviu Dică

The great talent of the Maria Tănase Folk Ensemble was rewarded at national and international festivals in Greece, Egypt, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Turkey and Iran.

We are glad and proud that through everything we do in order to cherish the folk traditions, we are the loyal representatives of the Romanian spirit that we dearly hold under the enlightened patronage
of the Lady of our folk music, Maria Tanase.