The Alexandrov Ensemble, short for the “Twice Red Banner, Order of the Red Star Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named after A.V. Alexandrov”, was formerly known as the “Central House of the Russian Army named after M.V. Frunze”.

The Ensemble is recognised as Russian’s oldest, largest, highest-ranked and most prestigious military song and dance troupe. The Male Choir directly under it is one of the most outstanding male choirs in the world, renowned for recruiting members under extremely rigorous standards. Under its influence, militaries around the world have established their own song and dance troupes one after another.

The Red Star Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named after A.V. Alexandrov, which has been awarded the Order of the Red Banner twice, was founded in 1928. So far it has a history of over 90 years, with Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov, the composer of the Soviet Union’s national anthem and a famous conductor, as one of its founders. At different times, it was the official song and dance ensemble of the Soviet Red Army, Soviet Armed Forces and Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, respectively. The current managing director and artistic director is Colonel Gennady Ksenafontovich Sachenyuk.

The Alexandrov Ensemble specialises in singing Soviet and Russian military songs, folk songs, opera arias, pop songs and many other types of musical works. They also perform Russian military and folk dances. The most famous songs and dances in their repertoire are The Sacred War, Kalinka, Farewell of Slavianka, Cossack Cavalry Dance and others. Currently, the Ensemble has about 300 members, including soloists, a male choir, a female choir, a dance ensemble, an orchestra, a pop band - “Alexandrov Park”, and a children’s choir named “Young Successors to Alexandrov”.

As a military art troupe, the Alexandrov Ensemble is devoted to boosting the morale of Russian soldiers. During the Great Patriotic War, it held more than 1,500 concerts for the frontline troops. In peacetime, the Ensemble visits Russian army garrisons, which are rarely visited by artists, and performs for active military personnel, as well as their family members. It also performs in small groups for retired soldiers.

The Male Choir is recognised as one of the best male choirs in the world - they are matchlessly adept at intonating and unique for their artistic appeal. Euphony and purely beautiful voices are combined perfectly with what makes a folk song and dance performance passionate and cheerful. They are the first and only choir to do so in choral singing. The Male Choir consists of more than 70 members, all of whom have received professional music education, many having won honourary titles.

The Dance Ensemble, which also acts under an extremely high artistic standard, is able to perform intricate dances with elegant steps. Furthermore, the success of the choir, soloists and dance ensemble is owed largely to a flexible and unisonous orchestra, which is also unique in structure - it has successfully combined Russian folk instruments, including the domra, the balalaika and the bayan, with woodwinds and brass instruments.

The Alexandrov Ensemble has toured all over the world, receiving high praise from the local peoples. The Ensemble has visited China many times and toured more than 20 cities in China, where it was warmly received and widely welcomed by the Chinese people.