Russian choir honours Arctic convoys
November 25, 2011 by Grace Franklin · Leave a Comment
The Glasgow based choir that sings in Russian style – Russkaya Cappella – enjoyed a recent trip to Russia. The benefit of that visit will be heard at their St Andrew’s Day concert on Wednesday 30 November in St Aloysius Church, Rose Street in Garnethill G3 6RE.
Said Svetlana Zvereva who with Stuart Campbell, runs the choir: ‘St Andrew is honoured by all the Christian churches and is patron saint of Scotland and Russia. There he is the protector, in particular, of the Russian navy. The concert programme will provide sacred music as well as some of Russia’s classic composers – Tchaikovsky and Taneyev – and Russian folk songs.’
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Arctic convoys which delivered vital supplies to the USSR and allied countries during the Second World War. Between 1941 and 1945 sailors of the British, Canadian, Soviet and United States navies ran the gauntlet of extreme weather, dangerous seas and enemy action on journeys between Iceland, Scotland and Murmansk and Archangel. Thousands of sailors perished on these most dangerous voyages. British veterans wear a white beret and tell tales of cups of cocoa freezing as they walk across the deck.
In tribute to them, the choir will sing ‘Eternal Memory’ during the concert.
Tickets are £5 at the door. Further information from the website: www.russkayacappella.yolasite.com
