The music pours over the audience and the rest of the world melts away.
Reviewed at the Adelaide Town Hall on 3 March 2019
Presented by The Adelaide Festival
There is nothing that compares to the sound of a male voice choir singing a Capella. The language doesn’t really matter, the harmonies and the resonance are superb if the choir is any good, and this choir is not just good! Nineteen serious looking gentlemen in blue jackets took to the stage, unassuming. Led by the regent Nikon Zhila, they opened with an ancient chant, Now All The Heavenly Powers, and the room was mesmerised. The music pours over the audience and the rest of the world melts away.
In the course of two hours these magnificent singers took us through religious music, folk songs, Cossack songs and music arranged or written by members of the choir.
There were several soloists all a credit to the choir. Tenors Ivan Leonov, Ivan Skrylnikov and Alexey Zakatov soared with their individual performances backed by the other members. Baritones Mikhail Turkin and Mikhail Miller sang with depth and texture whilst Vadim Zaripov gave us a magnificent bassi profundi performance.
The choir was originally formed at the monastery which was founded in 1395, but in 1917, following the Revolution, the monastery was closed and the choir disbanded until 1994, when under the glasnost policy, the monks returned and the choir reformed. Now they are renowned for their incredible sound having performed around the world.
This is a chance to hear their magnificence and should not be missed.
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Venue: Adelaide Town Hall
Season: 3-4 Mar
Duration: 2hr
Tickets: $79 -$99
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