DON COSSACK CHOIR.

Wairarapa Age, 19 August 1937, Page 2

DON COSSACK CHOIR.

SOUL-STIRRING SINGING. The spirit of Russia—dignity, grandeur, simplicity and sincerity—is materialised in the wonderful choral singing of General Platoff’s famous Don Cossack Choir, which is to appear here at the Regent Theatre on Wednesday night next. In General Platoff’s magnificent organisation of singers, who have created sensational interest in all the big cities of the world, vivid tone pictures of Russia’s early national life and characteristics are conjured up by their further interpretation and their innate dramatic sense in translating themes that are thoughtful, simple and sincere. Dancing plays an integral part in .the entertainment of the Don Cossacks, and it is significantly allied to the music. The picturesquely clad artists give exhilarating expression to their two-fold wit, and provide an entertainment rare in the annals of the New Zealand theatre. The conductor, Nicholas Kostrukoff, provides inspirational guidance, and he is said to obtain remarkable effects in tone colour from the world famous choir. “The Don Cossack Choir,” wrote a critic recently, “stands in two solid lines, and without the assistance of a pianoforte or other instrument to obtain pitch give forth the most wonderful music one has ever heard or is likely to hear from a male choir. At times when they are simply humming some transcendtly beautiful passage, forming a perfect mosaic of sound in the most curious harmonies, one could Scarcely imagine they were singing at all were it not for the witness of the ears, so impassive is their demeanour, and when, on occasions one of them sings a .solo (as the part of a -iHioral number) he does it simply and without the slightest ostentation, so much so that it is some time before the soloist can be detected.” It is said that the Don Cossack Choir never fails to arouse its audiences to almost hysterical enthusiasm, and record audiences enjoyed their singing throughout America and 'South Africa. The box plans will be opened at Perry’s on Monday morning next at nine o’clock. A queue will be formed from 8 a,m.