"Always on guard" – An anniversary concert was held at the Moscow State Conservatory The Rosgvardiya Song and Dance Ensemble

The year 2026 is a special year for the entire staff of the Academic Order of Merit in Culture and Arts of the National Guard of the Russian Federation Song and Dance Ensemble, led by the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, People's Artist of Russia, Major General, and Hero of Labor of Russia Viktor Eliseev. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the formation of the National Guard and the 215th anniversary of the formation of the law enforcement forces in our country.

The Ensemble dedicated a new concert program with the telling title “Always on Guard” to these significant dates. The anniversary concert took place on January 22, 2026, at one of the largest concert venues in Russia, the Great Hall of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory.

The concert opened with the song "Komarovsky the General" (music and lyrics by A. Shmelev), performed by the Ensemble's choir and orchestra.

The program includes vocal and choreographic compositions on military and patriotic themes, songs from the war years, and works by Soviet and contemporary Russian composers: "We serve the Motherland" (music by N. Smirnova, sl. S. Kardaeva, soloists-Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania Evgeny Yakhin and Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko), "Song of Russian Glory" (music by S. Babloeva, sl. A. Fedotov, soloists – Evgeny Yakhin, Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko). Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Grigory Yakovlev, Dmitry Dolgiy, Daniil Marakhin), " Song of the Gunners "(music by T. Khrennikov, music by V. Gusev) performed by the choir and orchestra of the Ensemble, "Smug Girl" (music by A. Novikov, music by Ya. Shvedov, soloist – Grigory Yakovlev). The audience was particularly moved by the medley of soldiers' songs (composed by A. Kukharenko, performed by Alexander Kokhov, Igor Safonov, Mikhail Zarayev, Evgeny Yakhin, Konstantin Kuzmin, Alexey Bosykh, Mikhail Mamonov, and Viktor Lezhnin).

The extensive concert repertoire of the Rosgvardia Song and Dance Ensemble includes works of Russian and foreign opera classics, as well as old romances. Music lovers who came to the Ensemble's concert today were delighted with the aria "Habanera" ("Love is a rebellious bird") from Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen," brilliantly performed by the People's Artist of Russia Lolitta Semenina, and the Russian romances "Not for Me" (N. Devitte - A. Molchanov, soloist - Igor Safonov) and "The Bell Rings Monotonously" (A. Gurilev - I. Makarov, soloist - Alexander Kokhov).

The Ensemble pays great attention to folk music. From the stage of the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russian folk songs were performed today: "Down on the Mother, along the Volga" (arranged by V. Belyaev, soloist-Alexander Starodubrovsky), "Brooms" (arranged by F. Rubtsov) and " Seven Sons-in-Law "(soloists-Honored Artist of Russia Andrey Novozhilov, Grigory Kylosov, Mikhail Zaraev, Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Alexander Buzganov, Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Vitaly Garnatko, Igor Kiselyov, Mikhail Mamonov, Roman Khudyakov). (The last two songs were performed a cappella.) The audience also enjoyed a medley of Belarusian songs (performed by Alexander Kokhov, Grigory Yakovlev, Viktor Lezhnin, Konstantin Kuzmin, and Alexey Bosykh).

The true highlight of each of the collective's concert programs is the performances of the Ensemble's soloist, People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva. Natalia Vladimirovna's unrivaled performing skills, dedication to the art, and constant pursuit of excellence make her one of the most prominent figures on the Russian music scene, and each concert program featuring her is an unforgettable event in the country's cultural life.

In the concert "Always on Guard" performed by Natalia Eliseeva songs were sounded: "Orenburg scarf" (G.Ponomarenko – V. Bokov), "I have no trouble without felt boots" (G.Ponomarenko – V.Dyunin) and "Ural ryabinushka" (E.Rodygin – M. Pilipenko). Together with other soloists of the Ensemble-Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev, Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Pavel Pushkin, Mikhail Zaraev, Mikhail Mamonov, as well as a quartet (consisting of: Honored Artist of Russia Sergey Bazylko, Vitaly Lansky, Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania Mark Novikov, Nikolai Alifanov), Natalia Eliseeva she took part in the performance of a medley on the themes of songs from the repertoire of Leonid Utesov (arranged by Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Mazanov).

The audience warmly received the song "I'll go out into the field with a horse at night" (I. Matvienko - A. Shaganov) and the composition "Argo" from the musical "Argonauts" (A. Basilaya - D. Bagashvili) performed by the vocal octet of the Ensemble and the soloist, Honored Artist of Russia Sergey Bazylko, as well as "Fantasy on the Themes of Love Songs" performed by the balalaika quartet led by Ivan Stepanov.

The ensemble constantly updates its repertoire, including the best musical works by Russian and foreign authors from different historical eras. Today's concert featured an a cappella performance of the song "The Lake Sleeps", written by German composer Heinrich Pfeil in 1879, and the song "Echo" by Flemish composer Orlando Lasso (1582). A short piece "Trumpet Parade" by American composer Leroy Anderson, written in 1949, was performed by soloists of the Ensemble – Honored Artist of the World. Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Dmitry Bogdanov, Vladimir Avilov, and Anton Androsov.

The Ensemble's repertoire includes performances that are always a success with the audience. Among them-the comic song "I'll take you to the tundra" performed today (M. Fradkin – M. Plyatskovsky, soloists-Honored Artists of the Republic of Buryatia Ruslan Samozhapov and Norpol Tsydenov), the composition " 16 Tons "("Sixteen Tons"), written by American musician Merle Travis in the genre of country music (soloist-Folk Artist of Russia Grigory Pinyasov) and "Dance with Sabres" from Aram Khachaturian's ballet "Gayane" performed by the choir and orchestra of the Ensemble.

"I was born in the Soviet Union" - this musical composition by Oleg Gazmanov did not leave anyone in the hall indifferent, but it was especially close to the representatives of the older generations of our compatriots. In the year declared the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, regardless of nationality, occupation, or cultural traditions, it sounded especially poignant, demonstrating the great unifying power of art.

The concert traditionally ended with the performance of the "Farewell to the Slavonic" march (V. Agapkin – A. Fedotov), which is rightfully considered Russia's most recognizable musical composition.

The concert was hosted by the Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, Honored Artist of Russia, Honored Officer of the National Guard, Colonel Igor Shustikov.

After the final chords were played on the stage, the audience applauded for a long time, thanking the artists of the choir, orchestra, soloists of the Ensemble, its artistic director and chief conductor – Viktor Eliseev, Chief choirmaster of the Ensemble, People's Artist of Russia Lyudmila Bogomolova, Chief Choreographer, People's Artist of Russia Oleg Artamonov, conductors of the Ensemble – Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. artist of Russia Alexey Mazanov and Gleb Kardasevich, as well as all those who make an invaluable contribution to the preservation and enhancement of the best musical traditions of the famous band..

At the end of the concert, the artistic director and chief conductor of the Ensemble, People's Artist of Russia, Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation, Major General Viktor Eliseev, took the floor. He warmly congratulated the audience on the New Year, which is the year of unity for the peoples of Russia, and noted that today's concert was the first in a series of concerts dedicated to two significant dates celebrated in Russia this year: the 10th anniversary of the formation of the National Guard of the Russian Federation and the 215th anniversary of the formation of law enforcement forces in Russia. Viktor Petrovich emphasized that it is impossible to overestimate the role that the Russian National Guard has played and continues to play in ensuring the country's internal security. He also noted the immense personal contribution of the Director-Commander-in-Chief of the Russian National Guard, General of the Army Viktor Zolotov, and expressed deep gratitude to Viktor Vasilyevich on behalf of the entire Ensemble team.

“Musical military art has always served the cause of uniting our people in the face of a formidable danger, glorifying the bravery of our warriors, inspiring them to fight the enemy, and instilling confidence in victory. Today, our music is helping the soldiers participating in the special military operation. We are confident that victory is near!” These final words by Viktor Eliseev were met with a thunderous round of applause.