The Mariinsky Opera Chorus

The Mariinsky Opera Chorus explores the timeless choral music of the Russian Orthodox Church, and music rooted in that same tradition.

The Mariinsky Opera Chorus is a superb virtuoso ensemble in its own right. Tonight, chorus director Andrei Petrenko explores Russian Orthodox choral music and folksong, the twin traditions that inspired Shchedrin and Mussorgsky – including Valery Gavrilin’s remarkable Perezvony, a large-scale choral fresco deeply rooted in Russian folklore.

Instrumental music is forbidden in the Russian Orthodox Church, so Russia has developed a choral tradition of unique character and resonance. The Mariinsky Theatre Chorus is part of that tradition; but with a full strength of over 130 singers, it’s also an award-winning symphonic chorus in its own right.