Russian army choir to paint Istanbul 'red'

ISTANBUL

The Russian choir will take the stage at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.

The Alexandrov Ensemble, the official army choir of the Russian Armed Forces, will be in Istanbul on the weekend for three performances. 

The choir, which has performed in more than 70 countries, will take the stage at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall on Jan. 25 and 26. 

Founded during the Soviet era, the ensemble consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble. The Alexandrov Ensemble and the MVD Ensemble are the only groups with the right to claim the title of “Red Army Choir.”

The Alexandrov Ensemble entertains audiences performing a range of music including folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias, and popular music. The group’s repertoire has included “The Volga Boatmen’s Song,” “Katyusha,” “Kalinka,” and “Ave Maria.”

The ensemble is named for its first director, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov. Its formal name since 1998 has been the Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army named after A. V. Alexandrov, shortened to Academic Ensemble.