Worcestershire | Archive | 2003 | November | 07
From the archive, first published Friday 7th Nov 2003.
Great Malvern Priory will be filled with song when Ukrainian male voice choir the Boyan Ensemble returns to Malvern.
The choir, hailed as a national treasure in its native Kiev, has visited Malvern every year since 1992 and has built up a devoted following.
The performance, on November 20, is part of the choir's 12th intensive nationwide tour, running from November 1-23, during which it will perform every night except Bonfire Night.
Tour co-ordinator Margarete Rolle, from Malvern, said: "The choir is in great demand in Malvern. People have even arranged holidays around the concert so that they don't miss the performance.
"We have had lots of offers from people wishing to play host to choir members while they are here, people just love to have them here."
The choir consists of 24 professional male members but this year includes the single female voice of soprano Valentina Ivanenko. The concert will feature a capella chants and a selection of Ukrainian folk songs with musical accompaniment from the musicians in the choir.
Founded in 1969 in Kiev and initially funded by the state under the Soviet system, the choir is now self-financing and must bear the costs of travelling abroad.
"Tours to Britain are extremely important to the choir, it has to make certain sacrifices to fund tours abroad, so it is a great relief that it is so popular here," said Ms Rolle. "The shows so far have gained amazing reviews and it is lovely to have the choir back in Malvern again."
The performance begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the Lyttleton House Gallery on 01684 574921.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008