September 17, 2003

Throat singers, more at Ancestors of Siberia event

Tuvan throat singers, Russian Old Believers, Kamchatkan folk dancers and others will perform as “Ancestors of Siberia” at California State University, Sacramento at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Music Recital Hall inside Capistrano Hall.

Tuvan throat singers

Chirgilchin, a throat singing group from the south Siberian country of Tuva, is made up of masters of the otherworldly-sounding singing technique. Tuvan throat singers train from early childhood to produce two vocalizations at once, usually a low-pitched drone overlaid with a lilting, flute-like singing. Chirgilchin, meaning mirage or miracle in the Tuvan language, also includes a female performer, a rarity in throat singing.

Youth vocal group Otkay performs music from the Russian Old Believer tradition as part of “Ancestors of Siberia.” Old Believers split from the Russian Orthodox Church in the 1660s following a disagreement over church reforms. Driven to remote parts of Russia by religious persecution, many settled in Siberia where they maintain a lifestyle that embraces 17th Century Russian dress and customs.

Kamchatkan folk dance ensemble Elvel incorporates animal spirits, shamanism and legends into its performances. Its members are Etelman, a people with fewer than 1,500 members native to Russia’s far east. Elvel’s folklore performances are known worldwide for their lyrical beauty and humor.

Other “Ancestors of Siberia” performers include a Tuvan shaman and a vocalist from Central Asia’s Altay region.

General admission tickets are $25 and available through the CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323 or at Tickets.com at (916) 766-2277. For media assistance, contact public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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