On Its First Egypt Visit, Turetsky Choir Captivates Opera Audience

In an extraordinary artistic evening, the Grand Theater of the Cairo Opera House hosted a remarkable concert by the Turetsky Choir, one of Russia’s most prominent vocal ensembles, marking its first visit to Egypt.

Joined by the Soprano art group, the ensemble delivered a diverse performance under the baton of Maestro Mikhail Turetsky. The program reflected the richness and versatility of Russian musical heritage, ranging from folk songs and pop hits to wartime classics, as well as iconic rock pieces and celebrated Russian and international operatic works.

The evening was officially opened by Yuri Matveev, Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Federation in Cairo, who highlighted the importance of the arts in building bridges between nations and strengthening friendship among peoples. He also expressed gratitude to the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the Cairo Opera House for hosting the cultural event.

The concert drew a large audience, including members of the Russian community in Egypt and Egyptian attendees, who enthusiastically engaged with the performances and rewarded the artists with warm applause in appreciation of the outstanding artistic level.

Several prominent figures attended the event, including Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, Chairman of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association; Dr. Vadim Zaychikov; Olga Peskilina, Head of the Russian Community in Egypt; Sherif Gad, Chairman of the Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities; and Asia Turtseva, Cultural Counselor at the Russian Embassy in Cairo.

The concert was organized within the framework of supporting cultural exchange and enhancing Russia’s artistic presence in Egypt. It was arranged by the Government of Moscow and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of the Russian Embassy in Cairo and the Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt.

For his part, Maestro Mikhail Turetsky expressed his great happiness at visiting Egypt for the first time, describing it as a historic milestone in the choir’s journey and praising Egypt’s ancient civilization. In a heartfelt gesture, he invited children from the audience to join him on stage to perform Russian folk songs, creating an emotional highlight of the evening. The concert concluded with a special song dedicated to Cairo and Egypt, expressing the ensemble’s admiration and affection.

The evening reaffirmed the depth of Egyptian-Russian cultural relations and underscored the vital role of the arts in fostering mutual understanding and cross-cultural dialogue.