Zhanna Bichevskaya at the synagogue: Russian songs, original ballads and Okudzhava’s repertoire

On 22 May, the White Stork Synagogue will host a concert by one of Russia's most important artists. Żanna Biczewska, unlike anyone else and unmoved by changing fashions, sings in her characteristic style whatever reflects her spiritual explorations. Her extensive repertoire includes Russian and Belarusian songs, Bulat Okudzhava ballads and her own compositions.

The multiple-award-winning artist tours throughout Europe. She has captivated audiences at Paris's Olympia and performed in America, Canada, Israel and many other countries. She has also appeared in Poland several times and has a loyal following here. Her albums of folk songs, romances and ballads sell in their millions in more than 40 countries.

Żanna Biczewska (Żanna Władimirowna Biczewskaja) is a Russian singer born in Moscow. She received her first guitar as a gift at 17 and enjoyed singing amateur, student, lyrical and hiking songs. She developed her love of music in the vocal class of the State School of Circus and Variety Arts (1966–1971), beginning her professional stage career in 1971.

She has always been an individual on stage. Unlike anyone else, she brings her own themes and style to her performances. She cannot be described as a “fashionable singer”. She sings what reflects her spiritual explorations. She became interested in Russian songs and romances after meeting another major figure of the Russian stage, Bulat Okudzhava, whom she calls her artistic godfather and teacher.

Her repertoire came to include traditional Russian romances, folk ballads and original songs, including “Bradiaga”, “Cziornyj woron”, “Matuszka”, “Razłuka”, “Wiecziernij zwon” and many others. In 1973, she won the State Competition of Variety Artists in Moscow. From then on, she began performing at home and abroad, winning over audiences throughout almost all of Europe. She delighted audiences at Paris’s Olympia 8 times in succession, and gave concerts in America, Canada, Israel and many other countries.

In 1980, she won the International Competition of Variety Artists in Poznań, and in 1989 received the “Golden Guitar” title at the International Competition in San Remo. Her recordings of folk music, romances, ballads, spiritual songs and bard songs sell millions of copies in more than 40 countries. This popularity rests on solid foundations: a reverent attitude towards Russian folk song, exceptional vocal gifts and an original performing style.

The artist’s concert is an unforgettable event in the cultural life of any country she visits. Mick Jagger said the singer is an island of true, timeless art in the ocean of contemporary music.

In the 1990s, Żanna Biczewska began singing White Guard songs, then works filled with spiritual content, including Father Roman's songs and those written by her husband Giennadij Ponomariow. Recently, she expanded her repertoire with a new cycle of songs about Russia, dominated by imperial themes.

In 1998, Żanna received the title of People's Artist of Russia. Żanna Biczewska is a major figure in Russian music, a wonderful interpreter whose distinctive voice and manner are recognisable after the first few phrases of atmospheric music.