At Soyuzivka: September 4-7 (08/30/98)

At Soyuzivka: September 4-7

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Concerts, dances, a tennis tournament and swim meet all combine to make Labor Day weekend, September 4-7, at Soyuzivka a special experience.

The fun begins on Friday, September 4, with a dance to the music of the ever popular Fata Morgana beginning at 10 p.m. Then, beginning at 11 p.m., the Midnight Bigus band takes over the Trembita Lounge.

The headliner of Saturday evening's program is the Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Edmonton. The troupe of 68 dancers works under the artistic direction of Ken Kachmar, assisted by Debbie Kachmar. Its repertoire comprises modernized Ukrainian folk dance, incorporating elements of ballet, jazz and modern dance. In addition, Vohon has moved into the realm of experimental Ukrainian dance.

The ensemble has many festival appearances on its list of credits, including the Pysanka Festival in Alberta, the Vesna Festival in Saskatchewan, and the world's largest Ukrainian festival, Canada's National Ukrainian Festival at Dauphin, Manitoba. In 1997 Vohon embarked on its premier tour, dubbed "Go Beyond the Boundaries," which took the dancers to California, Australia, Fiji, Japan and elsewhere.

The Saturday evening concert also spotlights vocalist Oksana Charuk and pianist Thomas Hrynkiw, both of New York.

Afterwards, at about 10 p.m., there will be not one dance, but two, to the music of Tempo and Zolota Bulava.

On Sunday, Soyuzivka guests can enjoy an afternoon performance beginning at 2:15 p.m. by the Vohon troupe, and the singing duo of Luba and Mykola.

The weekend's third concert slated for 8:30 that evening, spotlights soprano Rosemary Musoleno-Martynuk and Mr. Hrynkiw.

Ms. Musoleno-Martynuk is an American operatic singer whose reputation is growing both in opera houses and in the recording studio. Reviewers have cited her sunny Italianate voice, combined with natural musicality and a commanding stage presence. During the 1997-1998 season she appeared with the Marseille Opera in "Un Ballo In Maschera" in the role of Oscar; at the Puccini Festival in Italy in "La Boheme" in the role of Musetta; and with the Bern Opera in Switzerland in "La Traviata" in the role of Violetta. She also appeared in "Stabat Mater" at the Prague Festival in the Czech Republic and in "Carmen," in the role of Michaela at the Varmland Classic Festival in Sweden.

Ms. Musoleno-Martynuk sang with the Ukrainian Catholic church choir in Olyphant, Pa., where she says she fell in love with Ukrainian music - both religious and secular. Her husband, George M. Martynuk is a public relations and artists management consultant; her father-in-law is a longtime branch secretary of the Ukrainian National Association in Olyphant. At her Soyuzivka debut Ms. Musoleno-Martynuk will sing Ukrainian selections as well as operatic favorites.

Mr. Hrynkiw, an accomplished soloist well-known to Ukrainian audiences, will appear during the concert both as an accompanist to Ms. Musoleno and as a solo performer. Hailed as a pianist of "dramatic power and poetry," Mr. Hrynkiw has been making appearances since the age of 13. At the age of 19 he won a competition whose first prize was an opportunity to perform the Tchaikovsky Concerto with Leopold Stokowski conducting. Since then has performed around the globe. He is also a much-sought chamber music performer and is a recording artist with Yamaha Disklavier. Mr. Hrynkiw is director of the Ukrainian Music Institute in New York. This concert at Soyuzivka will mark his return to the UNA resort after an absence of several years.

The dance on Sunday evening, once again, features the music of two bands, Tempo and Fata Morgana.

For information about Soyuzivka accommodations, entertainment programs, art exhibits and other special features, call (914) 626-5641.

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