THE internationally renowned Hermitage Ensemble Russian male voice choir will be in concert at Marden Church on Sunday, April 17 at 4pm. This superlative choir was formed in St Petersburg in 1997 to keep alive the great traditions of Russian sacred music and folk song, and has toured all over the world.

The members of the choir are professional musicians who regularly perform as soloists at Orthodox churches in Russia, as well as at the opera (Kirov and Mariinsky) and with the Philharmonic Orchestra in St Petersburg. The programme includes traditional hymns of the Russian Orthodox Church, music from the Russian monastic tradition and folk songs made famous by the Red Army choirs.

The church in Russia was almost entirely suppressed during the communist period and the music was not sung except privately. Reviving the tradition when the regime relaxed its control over culture was a labour of love and hard work for the choir members. The folk and national songs, on the other hand, became the pop music of the socialist times and many are well known to western audiences.

To reserve your place email jessica.tidball@btconnect.com or call 01568 797227.