Russia's official army choir famed for 'Katyusha' Alexandrov Ensemble part of crashed Russian craft

Russia's famed military orchestra Alexandrov Ensemble was amongst the unfortunate 91 who were on-board the ill-fated Russian millitary plane Tu-154, which crashed in the Black Sea soon after take-off from Sochi on Sunday morning. 

The choir was en route to Russian military base in Syria to perform on Chritsmas for their counrty's troops stationed there as part of peacekeeping efforts in the region. 

Alexandrov Ensemble is an official army choir of the Russian armed forces which was established during the Soviet era. The ensemble consists of a male choir, an orchestra and a dance ensemble.

The Alexandrov Ensemble has entertained audiences both in Russia and throughout the world, performing a range of music including folk tunes, hymns, operatic arias, and popular music.

Also Read: Debris of missing Russian military plane Tu-154 with 91 on-board found in Black Sea: Reports

The group’s repertoire has included The Volga Boatmen’s Song, Katyusha, Kalinka, and Ave Maria. The ensemble has been titled on the name of its founder Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov.

In 1949 the ensemble was officially titled the “Twice Red-bannered and Red-starred Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Soviet Army named after AV Alexandrov”, so it was no longer called the “Red Army Choir” in brief, but known as “Alexandrov Ensemble".