The Anchiskhati Ensemble from Tbilisi, Georgia visited St. Sergius
Russian Orthodox Cathedral on November 3, 2005. The Ensemble is touring
the United States for the first time, and visited the Cathedral for a
lunch sponsored by the Cathedral Choir before a concert at the Beck
Center for the Arts in Cleveland.

The Anchiskhati Ensemble is from the 6th century Anchiskhati Church in Tbilisi, where they sing the weekly services.  The members of the group, directed by
Malkhaz Erkvanidze, are the leading ethno-musicologists of Georgia.  During Soviet times, the medieval Church chanting was firmly suppressed along with the Orthodox Church, but since the late 1980's, the group has led a national revival of this music, sparking worldwide interest in the 9th-12th century hymnographic tradition.

The ensemble is touring the United States for the first time.  The Cathedral Choir of St. Serguis Cathedral hosted the group for a lunch before their evening concert.  The Cathedral Choir Director, Reader Alexander Petrovsky, and the Church Warden, George Balasko, welcomed the group and gave them a tour of the Church.  The ensemble then enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by members of the Cathedral Choir.

Later in the evening, the Ensemble performed a concert at the Beck Center for the Arts in Cleveland.  The concert was a mixture of Liturgical and folk singing from the many different regions of Georgia.  The singing was accompanied by photos of 19th century Georgia.  The ensemble's powerful singing of the rich Georgian 3 voice harmonies captivated the audience.  Nearly 300 people attended the concert, including Fr. Peter Burlakov and many parishoners.

See a short video clip of the Anchiskhati Ensemble singing in the Cathedral (large file)>

See more about the Anchiskhati Ensemble>