On Tuesday evening the Russian choral ensemble, LYRA, (pronounce it Lera), came to my church in Runcorn, Cheshire, UK, and sang for their supper. This was the fifth year running that they have visited us, and I never tire of hearing their wonderful voices, especially the baritone. Somehow it seems that Russian baritones have a particular quality that makes them sound better than many others to me. Not that I'm denigrating other baritones, just elevating the Russians a little!
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The picture above shows this year's ensemble, made up of (from left to right), Andrey Sysoev (Tenor); Zlata Gogol (Mezzo); Natalia Andreeva (Soprano); Dmitry Darov(Baritone). Andrey is the leader and he and I have built a good friendship over the past few years. Recently he composed the music for two of my Advent hymns, and plans to compose more for me in the future, as time permits.
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What a treat it was to hear their wonderful voices on Tuesday. As usual, the audience wanted far more than the singers could supply, such was the prodigious talent displayed by the group. For the first part of the programme they sang a selection of Russian Sacred songs, and the second half involved a change into the traditional costumes shown in the photograph and a range of traditional Folk Songs. The closing song for the first half was a solo by Dmitry Darov, who sent shivers down my spine with the power of his voice, always under perfect control. I could have listened to him singing the same piece over and over and not have tired of it!
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If you see them advertised to sing at a church near you then don't miss the opportunity to hear them. They left us for Rochdale, where they sang yesterday evening, and today they leave for Scotland. They will be in Golspie, Sutherland, on the 8th May, moving to Thurso (9th & 10th), and Inverness (12th). Moving down country once again, on the 14th they will be at Lancaster University Catholic Chapel; Prestwich (15th); Mumby (16th); Halifax (17th); Bury St Edmund (20th); Coggeshall (21st); Petts Wood, Kent (22nd); Maidstone (23rd); New Ash Green, Kent (24th). On the 25th May they return home to St Petersburg.
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