If you want to learn fascinating facts about the evolution of the English language, hear and learn some very old and exotic English songs, then this program is for you! Our lead singer and English language coach, Lyubov Zolotova, will give you the key milestones of the history of the English language and together with the band will illustrate them with authentic songs and poetry of different times. We will then go through the peculiarities of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation of Old, Middle and Modern English. You will find out:

• Why the 11-12th cc. English sounded more like German
• Why some English words have their French "twin"
• When they gave up using "thee" and "thou"… and many more fascinating facts!

This is a rare opportunity to hear some of the oldest English songs and poetry surviving, some of the pieces are over 700 years old! Minimum English language required: intermediate. Program last for appr. 1.5 hours.

The program explores Shakespeare's contribution into the English language in an engaging format, combining a talk, music and poetry recital.

You will find out:

• how Shakespeare made up new words
• which idiomatic phrases and expressions he coined that are still in wide use today
• fascinating facts about the English grammar of Shakespeare's time
• what Shakespeare's English sounded like
• where you can see authentic Shakespeare's plays today.

You will also hear songs from Shakespeare's plays that will be presented to you by our band, as well as extracts from some of his famous plays recited in reconstructed pronunciation of late XVI – early XVII cc.

This special program offers you a unique insight into the world of rare and even exotic Christmas carols of different countries and times from the 12th to the 20th centuries! You will find out how the tradition of Christmas carols and caroling originated and evolved throughout centuries. You will find out:

• What Christmas carols have in common with pagan songs and rituals
• What Nativity hymns sounded like back in early Middle ages

…and many fascinating facts from the history of Christmas carol

You will hear:

• a rare carol of the 12th century performed in Latin
• the original Huron Carol composed by a Jesuite missionary for the Huron/Wendat tribe of North America in the 17th century
• a heavenly German Christmas carol Maria durch ein Dornwald ging
• energetic Ukranian kolyadki and much more!

Suggested minimum level of English: intermediate. Program lasts for appr. 1.5 hours.

Sherlock, football and pubs – is there more to the British heritage in Russia?! On this program, we will take you on a trip through time. You will learn why and when the Brits first came to Russia and explore their contribution into the Russian economy, culture, and society, hear an insightful talk about the history of the British in Russia and why they kept coming here throughout centuries. And of course, you will hear lots and lots of beautiful English and Scottish music performed by our band!

You will find out:

• If Ivan the Terrible really proposed to Queen Elizabeth I
• Why Peter the Great loved Scots
• What the great British artist, James Whistler, had to do with the Russian railway
• When and where football was first played in Russia
• What Queen Elizabeth II asked President Yeltsin in 1994… and much much more!!

Suggested minimum level of English: intermediate. Program lasts for appr. 1.5 hours.

Some of the most beautiful songs of all times are, of course, love songs. We have put together a precious collection of love songs of different times and peoples to show all the richness of ethnic traditions embodied in songs about love. You will hear, among others, English and German songs from the Middle Ages, French Renaissance, Italian belle canto, traditional Russian and Serbian songs, an rare Tatar piece and quite a few more! This program will be perfect to entertain guests on St. Valentine's day, or any other occasion!

Slavic folk music and, in particular, Russian, Ukrainian and South Slavic (Bulgarian, Serbian etc.) hold a very special place in our repertoire. A typical program of this kind will be a mixture of traditional folk/ethnic instrumental and vocal music. We don't typically perform popular folk music, though we will happily do so upon request. Please see this short video from one of our recent performances

To set an elegant mood for your event, we will happily perform a variety of instrumental and vocal English music of various genres and times. This can be played in a soft, "lounge" kind of style as background music, or as a full-scale chamber concert for your guests. The songs will range from 13th to 19th cc.

Traditions of carol signing were widespread in many cultures. However, while English carol singing tradition is fairly well-known and popularized in the world, traditions of other countries are left in the shadow. We inspire to bring together a variety of carols from different countries, these include England, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia etc. This is something special to entertain your guests with around Christmas and New Year time. We are also happy to focus on a particular tradition upon request.

Some of the most beautiful songs of all times are, of course, love songs. We have put together some of the most beautiful love songs of different times and peoples to show all the richness of ethnic traditions embodied in songs about love. You will hear, among others, Indian, Chinese, Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, English, Spanish, and Turkish songs. Most of these would be folk or folk-based pieces. This program will be perfect to entertain guests on St. Valentine's day, or any other occasion!