Icons and Song: Windows into Russian Culture

All Saints’ Memorial Church will host an exhibit of Russian icons and a concert of Russian sacred and folk music on Saturday, September 14^th.  This event will introduce those attending to the rich tradition of icons, as well as offering a unique opportunity to experience Russia’s musical heritage.  It reflects a collaboration with the Museum of Russian Icons (Clinton, MA) and LYRA, a professional vocal ensemble from St. Petersburg, Russia.  The Museum is the only one in the United States dedicated to Russian icons and has the largest collection of icons outside of Russia.  The exhibit of icons from the Museum’s collection will be open to the public beginning at 1:00 pm, with an informal presentation on iconography at 4:00 pm accompanied by a reception.  This will be followed at 5:00 pm by an hour-length concert of Russian choral music by LYRA, an a Capella group of four professional singers.  The first part of the concert – sacred music of the Russian Orthodox Church, will include ancient songs, works of well-known masters, and little-known but remarkable Russian composers of the 18^th to 20^th centuries.  The second part of the program will include Russian folk songs: comic, lyric, dancing, and love songs.