SYDNEY BALALAIKA ORCHESTRA

Saturday 18th August at 7pm.

Tickets $28, allocated seats.

"Such a measure of true Russian joy, delight, sadness, cheekiness". (Our Life).

Sydney Balalaika Orchestra with its traditional folk instruments and costumes takes audiences on an unforgettable journey to the heart and soul of Russia. Musical Director Victor Serghie's and cimbalom player Lucy Voronov's arrangements of classic Russian folk songs and orchestral pieces are simply breathtaking in their beauty, power and expression.

The Sydney Balalaika Orchestra is dedicated to the folk music of Russia played on authentic folk instruments. It has a large repertoire of Russian light classical and traditional folk music. The performers share their love for the beauty and heart of true Russian music where the mellow, melancholic themes are juxtaposed by the lively and energetic melodrama.

Inspired by Serghie's free and easy banter which builds a bridge of friendship between the performers and the audience, the twenty plus orchestra and singers are united by their passion for the true Russian folk music – several soloists are acknowledged virtuosos on their instruments.

Along with regular performances, the Orchestra has performed at many major folk music festivals, tours interstate and has performed by invitation in New Zealand, China and in Russia, most recently in Moscow and St Petersburg in July 2011, where they were received with overwhelming gratitude by audiences.Sydney Balalaika Orchestra have released 4 CD's and are also available under the ABC Classics label.

From achingly tender folk songs to the dizzying tempos of instrumental tour de forces, an evening spent with Sydney Balalaika Orchestra is to experience "the art of loving like a Russian".