Concert in honor of the 50th anniversary of the ensemble at the Central Club of the Russian Guard

The solemn event dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation took place on September 22, 2023, at the Central Club of the National Guard. The event was attended by the Deputy Heads of the Department, as well as the heads and employees of the structural units of the central office of the National Guard.

The event began with the raising of the State Flag of the Russian Federation and the banner of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the Russian Federation.

Deputy Director of the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation Colonel-General Alexey Bezzubikov addressed the audience. On behalf and on behalf of the Director of the National Guard, Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, Army General Viktor Zolotov, he congratulated the Ensemble on its 50th anniversary, announced the decree of the President of the Russian Federation awarding the Ensemble the Order of Merit in Culture and Arts, and presented this high state award to the head of the Ensemble, People's Artist of Russia, Major General Viktor Eliseev.

Colonel General Alexey Bezzubikov read out the welcoming address by the Director of the National Guard, Army General Viktor Zolotov.

"The ensemble's performances are always filled with positive energy and are a vibrant spectacle, with a blend of genres, original sound and choreography, as well as virtuosic instrumental skills and impeccable acting. The ensemble's success with a wide audience, both in our country and far beyond its borders, is a result of their hard work and unwavering dedication to their craft. The ensemble's artists carry out their musical duties with honor, not only in the spotlight of the country's top venues but also in the harsh conditions of the frontline. The creative team makes a worthy contribution to our victory, boosting the morale of personnel on the front lines and helping to speed up the recovery of wounded soldiers in hospitals. The team's success and global recognition are primarily attributed to the efforts of Major General Viktor Eliseev, a People's Artist of Russia and the artistic director and chief conductor of the Ensemble for the past thirty-eight years," according to a welcoming address by General Viktor Zolotov.

By order of the Director of the National Guard, the head of the Ensemble Viktor Eliseev and the leading soloist of the Ensemble, People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva, were awarded the Honorary Signs of the Director of the National Guard.

Deputy Head of the Ensemble, Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, Honored Artist of Russia Colonel Igor Shustikov was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Officer of the National Guard".

The Ensemble's soloists Sergey Bazylko, Andrey Kravetsky, Andrey Novozhilov were awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.

Colonel General Alexey Bezzubikov presented departmental awards to members of the ensemble's creative team.

On this significant day, the audience was treated to a performance by the artists of the Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation, led by the artistic director and chief conductor, People's Artist of Russia, Major General Viktor Eliseev.

At the beginning of the concert, accompanied by the choir and ballet group of the Ensemble, the vocal and choreographic composition "Valor and Honor" about the soldiers of the Rosgvardiya was performed (author A.V. Zaitsev, soloist-Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev).

The choir and orchestra of the Ensemble performed songs from the Great Patriotic War: "March of the Artillerymen" (T. Khrennikov, V. Gusev), "Song of War Correspondents" (composer – M. Blanter, poet – K. Simonov, soloist – Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko).

The vocal and dance composition "Gypsy Fantasy" (arranged by I. Golubev and I. Kadomtsev), accompanied by a choir, orchestra, and ballet group, was performed by soloists: People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva, Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev, and Evgeny Nasonov

The festive concert ended with the song "Farewell, Slavonic" (by V. Agapkin and A. Fedotov), performed by the Ensemble's choir and soloists, to prolonged applause from the audience.

At the end of the event, the audience was shown a documentary film called "Half a Century in the Service of the Fatherland" about the history and creative path of the Academic Ensemble of Songs and Dances of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation.

The host of the gala event was the deputy head of the Ensemble, an honorary employee of the National Guard, an Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, an Honored Artist of Russia, Colonel Igor Shustikov.