The Royal
Voice Festival, which was held in St Elisabeth Convent at the last weekend of
October, once again demonstrated how enlightening, powerful, and exalted
spiritual music can be. The performance of each participant was special; every
piece filled our souls with joy, reminding us about God and our destiny.
Dozens of
singers did not only illuminate the Church in honour of the Reigning icon of
the Mother of God with their voice but also almost became one single whole with
the church. The very atmosphere in the church helped us to listen to the sounds
of words and music.
The words
of the head of the festival Nun Juliania (Denisova), who is a precentor and a
composer herself, were brief because, as Nun Juliania admitted, the creative
work of the collectives and performers was speaking louder than words.
Their
singing was sincere, clear, sometimes reserved, sometimes emotional. Various
chants and songs were presented at the festival, ranging from church chants to
spiritual songs written by contemporary authors.
The
parish choir of the Church in honour of Pantanassa icon of the Mother of God
(precentor Matushka Olga Sholkova) presented traditional church chants.
Municipal Chamber Choir Nizhny Novgorod (conducted by Ivan Stolnikov) and the
Chamber Choir of Donetsk State Music Academy (conducted by Alimeh Murzaeva)
performed music composed by contemporary authors. The Maidens' Choir of St
Elisabeth Convent (precentor Matushka Maria Bakhvalova) prepared a wide
spectrum of various church chants and spiritual songs.
Songs
performed by their author, Archpriest Sergius Kiselev, penetrated deep into the
audience's hearts. The house was full during the priest's solo concert, which
proved the point that contemporary humans need spiritual music badly.
November 1, 2017
St.
Elisabeth Convent
CONVERSATION