| VISA REFUSAL HITS CHURCHES' FUND-RAISING | 12th May 2008 | Download | Email to a Friend |
Four of the 20 venues that could have gained by thousands of pounds from the visit by the Soloists of St Petersburg are in the West Midlands region, one of them in Warwickshire.
Some organisers spoke of the irony of the refusal at a time when Russia is waiving visa requirements for English soccer fans heading for Moscow and are left considering whether they can make last-minute arrangements to book substitute performers.
The Warwickshire vicar affected, Canon Lawrence Mortimer, at St Peter's, Wootton Wawen, near Stratford upon Avon has rescued the village's event on 7 June by calling up the Armonico Consort, the well-known Warwick-based choral ensemble. It has given previous concerts in the 1100 year old church and also recorded there..
Canon Mortimer said: "The failure to issue visas to such a celebrated Russian group of singers is completely puzzling particularly.as they have been granted visas to come to Britain in the past. With the deadline so very close for their first appearances, a decision had to be taken to call off the whole tour.
"We are fortunate to have been able to find a slot in Armonico's busy schedule to revive their popular programme, The Glory of Old England.
"This has enabled us to carry over sponsorship and to go on selling tickets for our appeal fund at a time when we are faced with a five-year stonework repair programme."
Other places in the region banking on appearances by the Russians were St Andrew's, Clifton Campville, near Tamworth, Wellington Methodist Church, Shropshire and Christ Church, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire.
One intended host, Pam Phelan, tried by e-mail to impress upon the British consulate in St Petersburg that there were no grounds for refusing visas. She said: "The Visa Section finally made it clear they were adamant visas would not be issued.
"It is a great shame and I am very disappointed. It is ironic, coming at a time when Russia has shown itself prepared to ease visa restrictions for English football supporters wanting to see the Champions League final in Moscow."
It appeared to be a matter of interpretation of what consitutes "work" and eligibility for permit free entry, she added.
Mrs Phelan, who was helping to organise the six-strong group's performance at St Hilary's Church in Wallasey, Merseyside, said she had also tried to contact the Foreign Secretary without success.
As well as generating income for a number of historic churches, the five-week tour due between 11 May and 14 June, would have been a goodwill cultural tour to promote good relations between the two countries - "much-needed at present," she added.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The UK tour from the Soloists of St Petersburg was due to have featured Olga Dubonos and Anna Kovaleva (sopranos), Elena Musikhina (mezzo soprano), Dmitry Samsonov (tenor) Yury Strekalovskiy (baritone) and Andrey Lebedev (bass profundo). Kovaleva sings in the Kirov Opera. The group's repertoire includes music from the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian folk songs.
Other churches where the Russian visitors had been due to perform are St Cuthbert's, Hoddesdon; St Mary the Virgin, Studham; Holy Saviour, Hitchen; St Mary's, Winkfield; St John's, Birkdale; Lancaster Priory; All Saints, Bakewell; St Michael the Archangel, Retford; Worksop Priory; St John the Baptist, Chester; Holy Cross, Owlpen, Uley; St Michael's, Bray; All Saints, Southbourne, Bournemouth; St Mary de Haura, Shoreham; All Saints, Weston, Esher.
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM: Canon Lawrence Mortimer, 01564 792659, Mrs Pam Phelan 0151 630 5720.