Russian State Chorus

Dear Editor:

Awesome, stupendous, strong and beautiful! How can one truly describe the performance of the Russian State Chorus? Forty professional vocalists, possibly the best artists in all of Russia, performed in front of a full house at the Fox Theatre in McCook Friday night. Sponsored by the McCook Concert Association and Hershberger Music Company, the performance had to be the very best to come to this area in many years.

The troupe of forty-five individuals, all Russian nationals, is on an extended tour of the United States. Their repertoire included Russian classical and lighter folk music. All but one of songs were presented acappella in the Russian language. Ava Maria was rendered in Italian and then they sang America, America the Beautiful and God Bless America in English. Actually it was a strong Russian accented version of English but clear, heartfelt and perfectly understandable. No matter the language their renditions were so artistically superb that the entire audience enjoyed the universal appeal of music.

The men were attired in formal black tuxedos and the ladies in rich black velvet floor length gowns with exquisite white applique down the front. I would guess the ages from 22 to 70 years. Most of their faces mirrored the people that settled in Western Nebraska although a few reflected a distinctive Slavic heritage. One superb tenor, complete with handlebar moustache, could have passed for Wyatt Earp. I could not help but reflect that these people were recently our enemies on the world scene. Now they are allies and yet they look so much like us. Cultural exchanges, whether in the arts or in sports, have so much to offer for furthering our understanding that all the people of the world have value.

The audience gave four standing ovations and evening's performance ended with three encores. Not a single member of the audience left the hall before the last note was sung. I observed several people with tears in their eyes having been caught up in such a sterling performance.

It was truly an enchanting evening.

Dick Trail

McCook