Russian Invasion Set for Arizona State University in November.

The 'Astonishing' Valaam Monastery Ensemble Comes to Arizona

Russian Theatre Confederation to Perform Twelfth Night at Gammage Auditorium

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Russians are coming! In November, Arizona State University, the City of Tempe and the Valley of the Sun will witness a Russian "invasion" of sorts. Two consecutive weekend events on the ASU campus will feature artistic performances by all-Russian, all-male ensembles Co one featuring traditional monastic chant and folk music, the other a novel rendition of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

On Saturday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the ASU Danforth Chapel, the Valaam Monastery Ensemble will present a program of sacred monastic chant, followed by selections of Russian folk music. Based in St. Petersburg and representing the ancient, sacred Valaam island monastery located on Russia's Lake Ladoga, the Valaam Monastery Ensemble features renowned and astounding a cappella harmonies and vocal control.

"Astonishing" and "unforgettable" are terms used to describe a Valaam Ensemble performance. A recent concert in Aberdeen, Scotland evoked this response from Kyle McCallum at St. John's Episcopal Church: "As a choral conductor here, I learned a lot about voice control, breathing, richness of tone and complete mastery of the ensemble working together as one. I haven't heard choral tone so free and rich, yet totally under control."

The Valaam Ensemble performance is being co-sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), an on-campus organization comprised of ASU students belonging to the Eastern Orthodox Church, and a local Eastern Orthodox mission parish, St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Mission (Orthodox Church in America) which is near the ASU campus in Tempe. Admission is free and donations will be accepted at the event. For more information about the Valaam Ensemble, visit www.venues.spb.ru/valaam/singers

"In the Eastern tradition, the music of the Church has been written for human voice alone, as the instrument that emulates on Earth the angelic realm, joining its transcendent counterpart above," said Father Damian Kuolt, Pastor at St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Mission. "The ensemble brings to us a form of music that filled the churches and monasteries of Northern Russia, especially the island of Valaam in the center of the great Ladoga, Europe's largest fresh water lake. The monastic tradition has preserved and perfected this sublime art as much as may be possible in the terrestrial Co and, as Dostoevsky implies, beauty is its own evangelist."

"When you hear them, it's just incredible," says Rachel Abrahams, leader of the OCF at ASU. "Their music reflects the depth of the Orthodox Christian tradition, and the OCF is very excited to have their help in raising awareness about authentic Christian spirituality and what it offers our student community."

One week later, on Saturday November 18, 7:00 p.m. at Gammage Auditorium, St. John The Evangelist Orthodox Mission will also co-host the Russian Theatre Confederation (RTC) in its performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. This sparkling all-male production of one of the Bard's best-loved comedies brings together the cream of Moscow's acting companies and marks the first-ever visit by a major Russian acting ensemble to Arizona as part of their current world tour.

Reactions from the Sydney, Australia press to the RTC's rendition of Twelfth Night include:

"This wonderful, warm and wise production is a triumph of direction, design and the craft of acting." Sydney Morning Herald

"Surmounts any Shakespeare I have seen in the past 10 years. This Twelfth Night is a dazzling experience." Sunday Independent

Photos can be obtained by visiting www.stjohnaz.org/valaam.htm