The ensemble performed in Khanty-Mansiysk

On February 28, 2020, the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation performed a concert in Khanty-Mansiysk as part of its large tour "Songs of the War Years."

The Yugra-Classic Concert and Theatre Centre in Khanty-Mansiysk is rightfully considered one of the best in Russia. This beautiful concert hall has witnessed performances by outstanding classical and pop music artists of global stature.

Residents of Khanty-Mansiysk remember well the performances of the Academic Ensemble of Songs and Dances 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.

This time, the world-famous military ensemble arrived in Khanty-Mansiysk with a new concert program, "Songs of the War Years," as part of a major tour dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory.

There was not a single empty seat in the 1,000-seat concert hall. Fans of the renowned military band travel hundreds of kilometers to see the new program by the Rosgvardia Academic Song and Dance Ensemble.

The audience includes residents of the Surgut and Oktyabrsky districts, the cities of Nefteyugansk, Yugorsk, Pokachi, Nyagan, and Pyt-Yakh, as well as the urban-type settlement of Salym. Among the honored guests are veterans of the Great Patriotic War, home front workers, employees of the National Guard, and their families.

The concert opened with the song "You, My Russia" by composer Serafim Tulikov, based on the lyrics by Sergey Ostrovoy, performed by the ensemble's soloist, Honored Artist of Russia Natalia Eliseeva. The audience warmly received the beautiful rendition of the song about Russia, and the hall was filled with thunderous applause from the grateful audience.

The concert featured songs from the Great Patriotic War, including "The Holy War," "Smuglyanka," "The Artillerymen's March," "The Frontline Driver's Song," and many others.

The ensemble's choreographic group performed original dance routines dedicated to the heroic deeds of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War.

The ensemble's repertoire is wide and diverse. The ensemble performs music in various genres, including songs by Soviet composers, popular opera classics, folk songs, and international pop hits.

The audience was particularly delighted with the song "I'm Taking You to the Tundra" by composer Mark Fradkin, based on the lyrics by Mikhail Plyatskovsky, performed by the ensemble's soloists, Honored Cultural Workers of the Republic of Buryatia, Ruslan Samozhapov and Narpol Tsedenov. This cheerful song, infused with Chukchi rap, took on a new and original sound in the ensemble's rendition.

The festive concert traditionally ended with the song "Victory Day" by composer David Tukhmanov and poet Vladimir Kharitonov, performed by soloists and the choir of the Academic Ensemble of Songs and Dances of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation.

The artistic director and chief conductor of the ensemble, People's Artist of Russia, Major General Viktor Eliseev, addressed the audience with words of greeting: "This is our third visit to this city. The people here are very friendly and smiling, and Khanty-Mansiysk has beautiful architecture and museums. Our artists have already grown fond of Khanty-Mansiysk. The program of this anniversary tour is based on songs from the war years. These are amazing, beautiful, and heartfelt songs that carry a lot of meaning. When we were choosing what to sing, I once again noted to myself that many musical masterpieces are created through sorrow and sadness. At that time, we had a common problem - the war. Our artists are well aware of the excitement that the audience feels in anticipation of the upcoming celebration of the Great Victory."

The Head of the Department of the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops of Russia for the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Colonel of Police Yevgeny Fedotkin, expressed his gratitude to the renowned ensemble and its artistic director and chief conductor, People's Artist of Russia, Major General Viktor Eliseev: "The concert of the Rosgvardia Academic Song and Dance Ensemble, which we witnessed today on this stage, is the best gift for our veterans, employees of the Rosgvardia Department, and their families."

The audience in Khanty-Mansiysk did not let the Ensemble's performers go until they had given them a long round of applause. "We are always happy to see you and look forward to seeing you in Khanty-Mansiysk!" The Ensemble's performers responded with an encore song.

The Ensemble's team will return to Moscow from Khanty-Mansiysk in a few days, where they will participate in a concert at the State Kremlin Palace.

In early March, the large tour "Songs of the War Years" by the Academic Ensemble of Songs and Dances 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, will continue to tour Russian cities.