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MUSICAL COURIER
30
THIS UNIQUE AND HIGHLY ARTIST
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
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Mile. Oda Slobodskaya, the leading dramatic soprano of the Petrograd Imperial Opera.
Koschetz, composer-conductor.
Mme. Maria Davidova, the famous Russian Carmen of the Petrograd Opera House.
THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL CHORUS
Pronounced by the leading European critics as the most perfect ensemble organization
in the world
PROGRAMMES
Each programme of the Ukrainian National Chorus will consist of a group of folksongs, spring songs, Christmas Carols and hymns. It is said that the Ukrainians sing their “koliadky,” “vesnianky,” ״koopalny,” whilst the ancient gods of Sun and Thunder are revived in all their pagan beauty and as adversaries of the Bible.
Every event, from great wars down to neighbours’ gossip, is recorded in Ukrainian folk melody. A thousand years have elapsed, and only songs are left to relate of these barbarous times.
Then again the charmingly naive poems about the Holy Virgin and Child, revealing the very spirit of Christianity.
The bride-maidens sing their wedding songs and ancient days seem to return as we hear how a wild youth gathered the lads of his tribe and raided the neighbouring milage to kidnap his sweetheart.
Both in its characteristic rhythm and warm colour, the Ukrainian song has something firm, determined, almost violent; but this violence never becomes brutality, it is always reserved and civilized and possesses that exquisite sweetness and delicate refinement which one is amazed to find thus blended with real genuine force. It is often based on ancient Oriental scales whereof we no longer possess the secret, but which have recently been revived in some compositions of Debussy.
The two distinguished artists will contribute to the programmes. The Russian composers of folklore and classics (many heretofore unknown composers will be introduced) ;their part of the programme, I feel sure, will prove as interesting and artistic as any recital of Russian music heretofore heard in this country.
WHO IS WHO IN THE ORGANIZATION?
PROF. ALEXANDER KOSCHETZ: well known throughout Russia as a composer and conductor of the famous Ukrainian National Chorus (formerly Little Russia), has been touring the capitals of Europe for the past three years. The great success he and his organization achieved is well known in Europe and to those Americans who were fortunate enough to hear them in Europe during their sojourn there. (See press comments on opposite page).
MLLE. ODA SLOBODSKAYA: left the former Imperial Opera House of Petrograd only ten months ago, where for the past four years she had the leading dramatic soprano roles. Since then she gave four recitals in Berlin to capacity audiences in the Beethoven Salle and scored what is generally termed in Berlin “a sensational success.” She also gave recitals in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Milan and Zurich. She is at the present time singing the leading role in Stravinsky’s new opera at Monte Carlo and is also engaged for special “Aida” performances at the Grand Opera in Paris. An offer has recently been made to her by the Royal Opera Houses in Madrid and Barcelona to appear in the leading roles of four Russian operas.
MME. MARIA DAVIDOVA: widely known in Russia as the famous Carmen, has spent five years in the Petrograd Opera House. Since her arrival abroad she sang in many concerts throughout European capitals. Her recent engagements were with the Royal Opera House at Barcelona, where she sang in four Russian operas, and she is now singing in the Grand Opera in Paris. She is also re-engaged to sing at the Royal Opera Houses of Barcelona and Madrid.
MR. ALEXANDER LABINSKY: formerly assistant conductor at the Imperial Opera House in Petrograd and a pianist of note, will be at the piano for Mile. Slobodskaya and Mme. Davidova.
PROF. GREGORY TUTSCHAPSKY: assistant conductor of the Ukrainian National Chorus, is in charge of these forty expert and talented singers, whose warm, clear and colorful voices have been fused into so perfect ensemble that the critics unanimously refer to as a “sonorous organ,” “a human symphony orchestra,” a “string quartette” and so forth.