photo courtesy of http://www.wmfolklifecenter.org/artists.html
Drago, Russia’s preeminent Romani (Gypsy) ensemble, presented a lunchtime concert at the Library of Congress.
The Drago Ensemble takes its name from the word “drag,” which means dear or beloved person in both the Romani and Romanian languages. Drago was founded in February 2007 by a group of like-minded Saint Petersburg artists and musicians. Each of the four members has an extensive background performing both in Russia and abroad (China, Singapore, France, Germany, Cyprus, Japan, Finland, etc.). All of the members of the Drago ensemble collect and preserve Romani folk music and dance traditions. At the same time, they are not afraid to incorporate new means of expression both for the six string guitar and for the seven string guitar. Their repertoire combines traditional Russian Romani songs, contemporary material, and ballads, the essential Romani genre, born from a successful symbiosis of Russian and Romani culture. Drago includes members of famous Romani dynasties who draw on ancient dance traditions that have all but been forgotten in our time.
Concert date: 04/27/2009
Running time: 49 minutes
View the webcast @ Drago Ensemble Concert
Drago Ensemble Concert
