The Russian Folk Ensemble Barynya takes the stage at Wadena Memorial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, as the opening program of the 2008-09 concert series sponsored by the Wadena Area Concert Association.
Barynya is a unique group of nine top soloists, musicians and dancers who have trained and performed with world renowned Russian Folk Dance companies like the Moisey ev Dance Company, the Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Co., the Don Cossacks of Rostov, the Moscow State Folk Center and the Black Sea Navy Dancers.
Barynya was founded in 1991 in Long Island, N.Y. and in the beginning was a trio. In 1998, it grew to five and in 2003 grew to its present size. Artistic Director and Founder Mikhail Smirnov is a professional Russian folk singer, performer and musician with many years of experience. He has recorded more than 100 hours of folk songs, tunes and lyrics -- many of which are used in the Barynya program.
The Barynya program includes Russian, Cossacks, Gypsy, Ukrainian and Klezmer dances, songs and virtuoso performances on traditional Russian instruments with a humorous explanation of every number of the program in English (or Russian if the audience prefers it!) Barynya also offers folk dance and music workshops.
Season memberships are still available at Peters Snyder Drug, or contact Bonnie Kingsley at (218) 631-4178 or Linda Papillon at (218) 631-3352 for more information.
