THE COSSACKS' CHOIR

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16817, 8 June 1926, Page 9

THE COSSACKS' CHOIR

ARRIVAL IN SYDNEY. A picturesque little ceremony was enacted at the Central Station, Sydney, on arrival of the Russian Cossacks' Choir from Brisbane. It was viewed by a large gathering of interested Australians, who were at once impressed with the traditional welcome given to the vocalists. As the train swung over the creaking points two lit Lie Russian girls—■ Margherita and Nona —dressed in uniform, approached the platform; and then, when 36 strapping young men, wearing also the uniform of the White Army, left the train, they presented the 'leader with a loaf or black rye bread on a carved wooden tray, covered by a linen hand-made towel, embroidered and finlshad in the approved style of the country. On the lop of the loaf was a gold salt pat. The souvenir was a symbol of welcome and hospitality. Mr John-Tocovence read greetings from a parchment, and invited the choir to partake of •'bread and salt" in the society's hall on ihe following Sunday. The greetings ii'oin the Russian residents read: —

"The Don Cossacks, —The executive of the Russian Study Circle in Sydney, on behalf of all members of the society, greet you as their own brothers by blood and spirit, and welcome you to this fair land so far from our dear Russia. Our wish for you is that the fame you have achieved throughout the world will never fade away, and that it will serve to elevate the glory of the Russian art and music to the highest point." Madame Ebncr, who speaks several languages fluently and English well enough to make herself understood, was interviewed at'the Hotel Australia during the afternoon. Madame said that, when the Russian Empire was thrown into a state of confusion by the Bolshevik upheaval, the members of the company enrolled in the White Army, fighting under Generals Dcnikcu and Wrangcl. The offensive broke down, and the choir, with the rest of the army, was transported to the Isle of Lemnos. "They escaped in due course,"' she said, "and went to Soda, where they formed a church choir, and became part of the service of the Orthodox Cathedral, working during the week in factories. They afterwards decided lo give themselves up to art, and in 11)23, in Zagreb, enjoyed their first big success as a choir, although il was in Vienna that they really proved themselves. Guided by their conductor, Serge' .Tarov, who was then 2.1 years of age and an ex-pupil of the famous Church Music Academy of the Holy Synod of Moscow, Ihe choir gave many concerts in various Coiiitnental towns, tin,:ily singing before King George at Windsor in 1925. "The voices id' Ihe choir blend superbly," added Madame Elmer, "and the volume is at limes remarkable. It consists of eleven first tenors, eight, second tenors, six baritones, and .10 bassos. The programmes are usually varied, so as to include church music, Russian folk song, and classical numbers. Tiny already have appeared at GOO concerts."

The choir memorises all compositions, and sings unaccompanied