Rio’s Midrash Center Hosts a ‘Night of Russian Romance’ Thursday

By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Hosted by the ‘Associaçao de Cultura Russa do Rio de Janeiro’ (Association of Russian Culture of Rio de Janeiro), this Thursday, June 5th, will see the Midrash Cultural Center putting on a ‘Noites de Romances Russos’ (Nights of Russian Romance) in Leblon at 8PM.

The performance will consist of a presentation of songs from throughout Russian history, sung and played by some of the members of Rio’s ‘Associação de Cultura Russa’ (Association of Russian Culture).

The evening will be compèred by the president of the society, Elena Serebryakova, who will introduce the songs, which will range from traditional Russian romance songs and ballads right up to music from the Soviet period.

This promises to be an intimate evening of traditional Russian culture presented by an organization whose aim is to strengthen Carioca-Russian bonds. Performing will be Russian-born singer Elena Gaissionok, who is also a professor at Casa das Artes de Laranjeiras (House of Arts of Laranjeiras).

She will joined by Thiago Debossan, a self-taught Carioca multi-instrumentalist. He has already shared the stage with renowned artists such as Benoit Dratwicki (director of the Center de Musique Barroque de Versailles – CBMV – France), Katia Velletaz (soloist of the CBMV), and has studied lyrical singing at the Royal Conservatory of Stockholm, Sweden.

The Midrash Centro Cultural is a space dedicated to the promotion of art, culture and thought. The building in Leblon was designed by architect Isay Weinfeld, who won the iF product design award in 2010.

This is a perfect addition to anyone who is currently captivated by the World Cup in Russia, or those who have recently seen one of the Soviet films shown at Caixa Cultural, or any of the other expatriate societies who wish to support a newer society aimed at building cultural bridges.

What: ‘Noites de Romances Russos’ (Nights of Russian Romance)
When: this Thursday, July 5th at 8PM – 11PM
Where: Midrash Centro Cultural, Rua General Venâncio Flôres, 184 – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22441-090
Entrance: R$30; for more information, check the event page.