The vocal quintet Archiglas will perform sacred and folk music of Russia at Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. Archiglas will also participate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8.
Archiglas, which means "outstanding voice," is an a capella choral ensemble from St. Petersburg, Russia. Their previous Northwest tour in 2002 also included an appearance at Ascension, and their return is looked forward to with great anticipation, said Charlene Kern, chairperson of Ascension's Music Ministry.
The concert will feature music from the classical and sacred works of several composers including Tchaikovsky, Ippolitov-Ivanoff, Rachmaninoff, Balakirev, Tchesnokov, Diletsky and Shvedov. The ensemble will then change to traditional costumes to perform folk and other secular songs from Russia's rich musical heritage.
Each member of the group, directed by bass-baritone Dimitry Vorobjev, sings professionally and has received advanced musical training at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Vorobjev, who began his musical studies at the age of 6, is also engaged as a conductor at the National Musical Theater of Belarus in Minsk and conducts a children's string orchestra.
Soprano Maria Chulkova, who also plays piano, currently is studying and singing in the Opera Theater at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. She was awarded fourth prize in a recent Rachmaninoff International Competition.
Opera is the forte of mezzo-soprano Olga Guseva. She was awarded a grand prize in international competition at Belarus. She has toured with the chamber orchestra of Cologne and has performed as a soloist in Poland, Belarus and St. Petersburg.
Tenor Andrey Molodchinin did not begin his vocal studies until age 20. He is studying opera at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and performs with the Opera Theater. Molodchinin has toured Europe with another vocal group but is making his first visit to the United States with Archiglas.
Andrey Burin, bass, was working as a builder when a professor at the conservatory overheard him singing and encouraged him to pursue a career in voice. He was subsequently invited to the world-famous Marinsky Theater (Kirov Opera) and to perform with the San Francisco Opera. Burin continues to sing with the Conservatory Opera Theater, where he performs in lead roles.
Archiglas relies on free-will donations (at least $10 per person is suggested) and sale of its CDs to support its United States tour. The evening concert will be followed with a reception to greet and welcome the performers featuring Russian pastries, food and beverages.
Church of the Ascension, 2330 Viewmont Way W. on the west edge of the Magnolia business district, is accessible by Metro bus #24. For further information, visit Ascension's Web site at www.ascension.org or call 283-3967.
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