DON COSSACK CHOIR

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 266, 6 August 1937, Page 6

DON COSSACK CHOIR

Precision and Beauty of Tone A large audience at the New Opera House gave the Don Cossack Choir another warm reception last night when it repeated the programme with which it made such a deep impression on Wednesday. It is a combination so rich in tone trained to such precision and given such well-arranged numbers that instrumental accompaniment would be no assistance. The Cossacks are able to obtain any desirable choral effect with nothing but their voices and those effects range from the humble fervour of sacred music to the triumphant battle song; from simple folk songs to florid and complicated choral compositions. Soloists, of unusual talent and vocal tone are at the command of the conductor’s active hands, but all seem to sink their identity in the work of the whole choir. In addition to the generous printed programme the choir gave many encores in answer to the enthusiastic plaudits of the audience, including the famous “Volga Boat Song.” Pleasing as the audience found the singing, it became positively excited over the dancers who took the floor in the movements of the breathless dances so typically Russian. The programme will be repeated tonight and to-morrow night, and a matinee will be held to-morrow afternoon.