One of the highlights of the holiday season in the Russian capital is the Moscow International Choir concert of classical and popular Christmas music.
This year the choir will perform choral pieces from Handel’s “Messiah,” accompanied by an orchestra made up of some of Moscow’s finest musicians.
The second half of the program is a mix of traditional and contemporary carols guaranteed to get you into a holiday spirit.
The choir was founded over 15 years ago to give amateur singers in Moscow an opportunity to sing together — and get to know each other. The very international group includes Russians, Americans, Dutch, Danish, German, French and British expats, although it is constantly changing as people leave Moscow for other diplomatic or job postings and new singers arrive.
Since 2002, the choir has been conducted by Sergei Sidorenko, a graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory who studied at the Bolshoi Theater.
In keeping with the mission statement of the choir and the spirit of George Frederic Handel, who held annual charity performances of the Messiah to support London’s Foundling Hospital, all profits from the concerts are donated to Russian charitable organizations.
Three concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. in St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Dec. 12, 15, and 18. Tickets are 550 rubles, and are best reserved in advance through moscow.international.choir@gmail.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, but the Friday evening concert, this year on Dec. 15, is usually packed.
8 Voznesensky Pereulok. Metro Tverskaya, Teatralnaya. moscow-international-choir.com/component/content/?view=featured
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
