Three concerts of Russian military orchestras have taken place in Singapore as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Russian-Singapore diplomatic relations. The presentations were organized by the Russian-Singapore Business Council (RSBC) with the support of State Corporation Rostec.
The first two performances were given by students from the Lieutenant-General Valery Khalilov Moscow Military Music School.
Their open concert on November 25 at the Botanic Garden drew massive public interest. About 1,500 people attended the event.
A second concert by the Military School students was held on November 27 at the National University of Singapore Theater. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Singapore Andrei Tatarinov.
Before the beginning of the concerts, Rostec Deputy CEO and Chairman of the RSBC Nikolai Volobuev gave an introductory speech. “We are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between our countries - between Russia as the successor of the USSR and Singapore. It is no coincidence that this year our contacts have increased in intensity. Most recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Singapore on an official visit and met with the leaders of the Republic, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Halimah Yacob. In addition, Rostec and the RSBC have signed agreements with our Singapore partners, which open up new opportunities to expand cooperation between the companies and enterprises of our countries. At the same time, I would like to note that the expansion of cultural interactions between Russia and Singapore is no less important than the development of business cooperation,” said Nikolai Volobuev.
On November 28, in the National University Theater, a concert was held by the Exemplary Orchestra of the National Guard of the Russian Federation.
The orchestra performed music pieces such as the Tchaikovsky’s “Coronation March”, a selection from the opera “The Tale of Tsar Saltan” by Rimsky-Korsakov, “Flight of the Bumblebee” by Duke Ellington, “Caravan” by Joseph Kosma, Russian folk songs “Going Out” and “Oh, You're a Darling”, and many other popular domestic and international works.
“Everyone finds something to love at our concerts. International appearances are an important activity of the orchestra. Popularization of great Russian music, world masterpieces and a mandatory highlight - works in the language of the country in which we are performing. In Singapore, we performed works in Russian, Chinese and English. The tour of Russian military musicians in Singapore will be remembered by everyone who was lucky enough to see the Days of Russian Music in Singapore,” said orchestra headman Honored Artist of Russia Colonel Igor Levandovsky.
The Russian-Singapore Business Council (RSBC) was created in 2009 on the initiative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and the State Corporation Rostec. Among the main tasks of the council are cooperation and constructive dialogue between business circles of Russia and Singapore interested in the continuing development and improved efficiency.
