The ensemble performed a concert in Orel

The team of the Academic Order "For Merit in Culture and Art" 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 conducts extensive touring activities in different regions of our vast homeland.

In September 2024, the Ensemble's concert tour of the cities of the Central Federal District began with a performance in the ancient Russian city of Orel. Founded in the mid-16th century as a fortress to protect the southern borders of the Russian state, Orel has a long and colorful history. More than once it was destroyed to the ground and each time literally rose from the ashes. Orel played a major strategic role in the Great Patriotic War, for which it received the honorary title of "City of Military Glory" (2007). In August 1943, in the sky over Orel - in the still dangerous, military sky - the first military salute "bloomed", illuminating the future and instilling faith in our victory in the hearts of Soviet people.  

The life and work of many Russian writers are associated with Orel - I.S. Turgenev, L.N. Andreev, N.S. Leskov, A.A. Fet, A.N. Apukhtin, I.A. Bunin and others. Famous for its literary traditions, the city has officially (since 2021) been recognized as the literary capital of Russia.  

The Oryol land is also rich in musical talent. It has long been famous for its unique folk songs and dances. Here they love, know and appreciate the art of music.

On September 26, 2024, the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Guard gave a concert in the Grinn Center concert hall, one of the best concert venues in the city. Its uniqueness lies in the possibility of transformation depending on the event being held.

Family members of the Russian Guard, participants of the SVO, veterans and young residents of the city came to enjoy the art of the "Eliseevites".

The concert opened with the vocal and choreographic composition Valor and Honor (music and lyrics by A. Zaitsev, production by Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania Ivan Zhelnov, soloist - Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev).

Each concert program of the Ensemble traditionally includes songs war years and patriotic songs by Soviet and modern authors. Today, the following works were performed on the stage of the Green Center: "March of the Artillerymen" (V. Gusev - T. Khrennikov), "Song of War Correspondents" (M. Blanter - K. Simonov, soloist - Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexei Kholyavko), "Ballad of the Mother" (E. Martynov - A. Dementyev, soloist - Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Pavel Pushkin), "Smuglyanka" (A. Novikov - Ya. Shvedov, soloist - Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Grigory Yakovlev), "Free Russia" (A. Novikov - S. Alymov, soloist - Honored Artist of Russia Alexei Volzhanin), "I was born in the Soviet Union" (words and music by O. Gazmanov, soloists - Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev and Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko), medley on the themes of soldiers' songs "Soldier's Suite" (composition by A. Kukharenko, soloists – Honored Artist of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic Alexander Kokhov, Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Igor Safonov, Honored Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania Evgeny Yakhin, Honored Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan Ruslan Abdrafikov, artists of the Ensemble: Alexey Bosykh, Mikhail Mamonov and Viktor Lezhnin).

The audience did not let the People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva leave the stage for a long time, as she heartfeltly performed two songs by composer Alexander Averkin: "A young sailor is going on leave" (lyrics by V. Bokov) and "I want to please you, my dear" (lyrics by A. Averkin).

The audience warmly welcomed the performance of the Russian romance "Not for me" (N. Devitte - A. Molchanov; soloist - Honored Artist of the Republic of Ingushetia Igor Safonov), the Russian folk song "The Cossack Galloped" (soloist - Dmitry Dolgy), the comic compositions "I'll take you to the tundra" (M. Fradkin - M. Plyatskovsky, soloists - Honored Artists of the Republic of Buryatia Ruslan Samozhapov and Norpol Tsydenov) and "The lads went on a spree" (S. Pavliashvili - A. Shakhunts; soloists - Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev and Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan Alexey Kholyavko).

The real highlight of the concert was the sparkling dances "Home with Victory" (staged by Honored Artist of Russia A. Safronov, arranged by A. Zarkov) and "Dance with Sabres" and vocal and choreographic compositions: "Gypsy Fantasy" (composition and arrangement by I. Golubev and I. Kadomtsev, choreography by Artur Bogdanov) accompanied by a ballet group performed by soloists People's Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva, Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev and soloist of the Ensemble Evgeny Nasonov) and "Step" (soloists - Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Dmitriev and artist of the Ensemble Victor Lezhnin).