A meeting of tradition and friendship - a magnificent concert by the “Glinka” choir in Niš

On the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, 21 September 2026, a gala concert was held at the St Sava Centre in Niš by the State Academic Capella “Glinka” from St Petersburg, one of the most distinguished choral ensembles in Russia. This was the celebrated choir's fourth visit to Niš, and the great public interest confirmed the special place this ensemble holds in the musical life of the city. The gala hall of the St Sava Centre was too small to hold all the lovers of choral music who wished to attend this exceptional event.

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Arsenije of Niš, the concert was organised by the Cathedral administration and the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko”, with the support of the City of Niš. Under the baton of Ilya Derbilov, the 55-voice ensemble presented a rich programme combining sacred and secular music, revealing the wealth of the Russian choral tradition and the beauty of the Slavic musical heritage.

A special place in the programme belonged to parts of the “All-Night Vigil” by Sergei Rachmaninoff, one of the most important works of Orthodox sacred music. The powerful choral sound, exceptional balance of voices and deep expressiveness of the performance conveyed the full spiritual grandeur of this masterpiece. Particular attention was also drawn by the performance of “Dostojno jest” by Zoran Mulić, from his Liturgy of St John Chrysostom written in the Romani language.

Besides sacred compositions, the audience had the opportunity to hear Russian folk songs, full of distinctive melodies and the richness of national musical expression. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the performance of the Fifth Rukovet by Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac, with which the guests from St Petersburg showed special respect for the Serbian musical heritage. In the interpretation of this exceptional ensemble, Mokranjac's work acquired a new splendour of sound, confirming the universal value of his music.

The evening was crowned by a moving meeting of the two choirs, when the members of the “Glinka” Capella on stage and the singers of the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” in the gallery of the St Sava Centre sang “Mnogoljetstvije” together. This solemn moment symbolically united the long-standing friendship of the two ensembles and their shared devotion to the Orthodox sacred and choral tradition.

The ties between the Niš Church Choral Society “Branko” and the State Academic Capella “Glinka” have been built over several decades through numerous meetings and mutual visits. The “Glinka” choir also performed in Niš in 2007, marking the Society's 120th anniversary, while “Branko” returned the visit with performances in St Petersburg in 2008 and 2012.

Yet a special and unforgettable chapter in the history of the friendship between the Russian ensemble and the Serbian people was written in the spring of 1999, during the NATO aggression against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. While Serbia was shaken by daily bombing, the members of the “Glinka” Capella, led by their then artistic director Vladislav Chernushenko, decided to come to Belgrade and offer support to the Serbian people through their song. The concert, originally cancelled because of the hostilities, was nevertheless held on 15 April 1999 under the title “Prayer for Peace”. Disregarding the danger, the singers arrived in the Serbian capital after an overnight journey, bringing a message of solidarity, hope and brotherly love into an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and suffering.

Years later Chernushenko spoke about that unforgettable event with special emotion, emphasising that not a single member of the ensemble refused the invitation to come to Serbia. At the end of the concert, as a token of gratitude, he was presented with a silver medal bearing the image of the White Angel. That act remained one of the strongest testimonies of Russian-Serbian friendship, a reminder that true closeness between peoples is shown not only in times of joy and celebration, but above all in moments of the hardest trials.

That is why today's meetings of “Branko” and “Glinka” have a significance that goes far beyond concert performances. They are a continuation of a friendship founded on a shared spiritual tradition, mutual respect and the enduring ties between the Serbian and Russian peoples.

The concert held in Niš, as part of the “Glinka” Capella's tour of Serbia, is another precious chapter in the history of this friendship. It was an encounter in which music, faith and tradition united in a shared song, a reminder that true spiritual and cultural bonds last far longer than a single concert.