The ensemble's concert in the Cossack capital of the Don – the city of Novocherkassk

The Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, under the direction of the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, People's Artist of Russia, Major General Viktor Eliseev, continues its tour of southern Russian cities dedicated to the 78th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War and the 50th anniversary of the Ensemble. Today, on May 19, 2023, the Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard held a concert in sunny Novocherkassk.

Founded in May 1805 by Ataman Matvey Platov, Novocherkassk today proudly bears the title of the capital of the Don and world Cossacks. The Cossacks of the Novocherkassk District continue the best traditions of Cossack service to the Fatherland, contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the cultural values of the Don region. Modern Novocherkassk is one of the largest industrial centers of the Rostov region.

Among the residents of the city who came to the South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI) named after M.I. Platov today to meet with the artists of the Ensemble of Song and Dance Rosgvardia, there were veterans of military operations, leaders of production, young citizens of Novocherkassk.

Honorary guests of the event were Head of Novocherkassk City Administration Yuri Lysenko, Rector of the Platov South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Yuri Razorenov, Honorary citizen of Novocherkassk, Candidate of Political Sciences, Hero of Russia, Colonel-General Mikhail Labunets and Deputy of the City Duma of Novocherkassk, Chief Physician emergency hospitals of Novocherkassk, military trauma surgeon, participant of a special military operation, combat veteran, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Knight of the Order of Courage Boris Gurkin.

The concert opened with the patriotic song "You, My Russia" (music by S. Tulikov, lyrics by S. Ostrovoy) performed by the People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva.

The theme of the Great Patriotic Wars "red thread" ran through the entire concert program of the Ensemble. The audience was greatly impressed by the works beloved by many generations of Russians: "Song of Frontline Correspondents" (M. Blanter – K. Simonov, soloist – Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko), "Russia is Free" (A. Novikov – S. Alymov, soloist-Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Volzhanin), "Smuglyanka" (A. Novikov - Ya. Shvedov, soloist- Mikhail Mamonov), Russian folk song "Skakal Kazak" (soloist-Dmitry Dolgiy), Russian romance "Ne dlya Me" (N. Devitte – A. Molchanov, soloist-Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Igor Safonov), Ukrainian folk song "Unhitch your Horses, lads" (soloist - Kirill Nikitin).

The Suite on the themes of soldiers' songs, accompanied by the Ensemble's choir and orchestra, was performed by the Honored Artist of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic Alexander Kokhov, the Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Evgeny Yakhin, Alexey Bosykh, Mikhail Zaraev, Mikhail Mamonov, Igor Safonov, and Ruslan Abdrafikov.

The song "I'll go out into the field with a horse at night" (I. Matvienko – A. Shaganov) was performed by the Vocal Octet of the Ensemble (headed by the Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Sergey Bazylko).

The audience gave a round of applause to the Ensemble's ballet group, who performed sparkling dance compositions such as "Home with Victory," "Cossack Dance," and the sailor's dance "Yablochko."

The heartfelt performance by the People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva of the lyrical song "What You Were..." (I. Dunaevsky - M. Isakovsky) from the film "The Kuban Cossacks" was very warmly received.

In the repertoire of the Ensemble of Song and Dance of the National Guard, there is always a place for humor. The humorous song by the composer Mark Fradkin to the lyrics of Mikhail Plyatskovsky “I’ll take you to the tundra” in the original performance of the soloists of the Ensemble, Honored Workers of Culture of the Republic of Buryatia Ruslan Samozhapov and Norpol Tsydenov – one of the concert numbers of our team that is loved by the audience.

The audience was also delighted by the fiery performance of the vocal and dance composition "Gypsy Fantasy" (arranged by I. Golubev and I. Kadomtsev, soloists: Natalia Eliseeva, Alexey Dmitriev, Evgeny Nasonov).

The brilliant performance by the trio of balalaika players (led by Ivan Stepanov) of the cheerful musical composition "Old Banjo" left no one indifferent.

The festive concert traditionally ended with the "Farewell to the Slav" march (V. Agapkin – V. Lazarev).

The concert was conducted by the Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, Honored Artist of Russia, Colonel Igor Shustikov.

The guests of honor thanked the artists of the Rosgvardia Academic Song and Dance Ensemble for their high art, and wished them inspiration, energy, and enthusiasm, and an unquenchable desire to delight the audience with their bright performances again and again!

Letters of appreciation from the Administration of Novocherkassk and the Platov South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI) were presented to the staff of the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard of the Russian Federation, its artistic director and Chief Conductor, People's Artist of Russia, Major General Viktor Eliseev Deputy Head of the Ensemble for Work with Personnel, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. to the Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, Honored Artist of Russia, Colonel Igor Shustikov and soloist of the Ensemble, People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva. A pleasant surprise for the artists was a commemorative gift -– an anniversary set from South-Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI) named after M.I. Platov.