The "ROSSICA"
choir was formed in 1978. During first years of its activity the choir worked in
partnership with St.Petersburg State TV channel which resulted in a series of 20 short
films named "Musical novellas". From 1980 till 1994 the
"ROSSICA" choir was performing Russian spiritual music of unknown periods of its
history (XVI-XVIII cc.) mainly in the Hlinka Small Hall of St. Petersburg
State Philharmonic. For several years (1980-1986) "ROSSICA" was the only regular
performer of ancient Russian music and Choral Baroque in Russia. And now the repertoire of the choir includes along with ancient Russian
sacred music, glorious masterpieces of Russian classical music (Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky,
etc.) and a variety of West-European music (from Orazio Vecchi to John Tavener).
Some of this music was recordered on tapes and CDs.
In 1988 on the basis of the choir the Ancient
Music Centre "ROSSICA" was created to search for and decipher old Russian
music manuscripts. Several prominent Russian and Ukrainian musicologists such as Prof.
N.Gerasimova-Persidskaya (Kiev), Prof. V. Protopopov (Moscow) as well as experts in
deciphering old Russian music notation including A. Ratkova, N.Seregina and others are
collaborating with the Centre. Valentina Kopylova - founder, permanent artistic director
and conductor of the "ROSSICA" choir - leads all these scholars in their work.
Since 1996 the "ROSSICA" choir has participated in a cycle of broadcasts
"Russian history and culture" by academician A.M.Panchenko on the Radio-Freedom
(Radio Liberty).
The choir performs in different structures: a) whole choir (25 singers); b) enlarged
choir (36 singers); d) male choir (14 singers); e) female choir (8 singers); f) soloists -
soprano, alto, tenor, bass, baritone, basso profound.
In recent years "ROSSICA" has made a large number of tours: Japan (1986,
1990, 1991), the UK (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998), Germany (nearly every year since
1988), Sweden (1990), Italy (1989), Spain (1992, 1997), France (1995).
The ROSSICA choir has participated as a guest professional choir in following world
festivals:
- "EXPO-90", Japan (1990);
- Boddington Manchester Festival , England (1992);
- Warwick
Music Festival, England (1993);
- Ziortzato Kolegiata, Spain (1993);
- Canterbury
Music Festival, England (1994, 1998);
- 3rd International Choir Festival by Philharmonischer Chor Lippe, Germany (1994);
- Alcester Festival, England (1994 and 1995);
- "CREDO-95", Festival of Sacred Music, Estonia (1995);
- Festival International de Piano et Music de Chambre "Arts et Music en
Montagne", France (1995);
- Concurso Coral de Ejea de Los Caballeros, Spain (1997);
- Norfolk & Norwich
Festival, England (1998)
and in variety of music festivals in Russia.
