Alexandrov Ensemble

The Alexandrov Ensemble Commonly Known As The Red Army Choir In The West Is An Official Army Choir Of The Russian Armed Forces. Founded During The Soviet Era The Ensemble Consists Of A Male Choir An Orchestra And A Dance Ensemble. The Ensemble Has Entertained Audiences Both In Russia And Throughout The World Performing A Range Of Music Including Folk Tunes Hymns Operatic Arias And Popular Music. The Group's Repertoire Has Included The Volga Boatmen's Song Katyusha Kalinka And Ave Maria. It Is Named For Its First Director Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov 1883–1946 . Its Formal Name Since 1998 Has Been A. V. Alexandrov Academic Song And Dance Ensemble Of The Russian Army Russian Академический Ансамбль Песни И Пляски Российской Армии Имени А. В. Александрова Akademichesky Ensemble Pesni I Plyaski Rossiyskoy Armii Imeni A. V. Alexandrova Shortened To Academic Ensemble Академический Ансамбль Akademichesky Ensemble On Second Reference. On 25 December 2016 Its Artistic Director Valery Khalilov And 63 Other Members Of The Ensemble Were Killed In The Russian Defence Ministry Aircraft Crash Of A 1983 Tupolev Tu-154 Into The Black Sea Just After Takeoff From The Southern Resort City Of Sochi Russia. The Red Army Choir Singers And Dancers Were En Route To Syria To Entertain Russian Troops There For Orthodox Christmas Celebrations. read less