ST LEONARD'S Church at Bretforton is hosting a visit by the St Petersburg Blagovest Ensemble, conducted by Olga Kozlova, this Saturday at 7.30pm.

Blagovest sing 40 minutes of sacred music in the first half.

Russia's sacred choral music, much of it penned by her greatest composers, was banned under Soviet rule but now the music is once again resounding through the churches and halls of Europe.

Blagovest's voices, always unaccompanied, weave a tapestry of sound that leads the listener into another realm.

After the interval they sing 40 minutes of folk music.

Russians feel passionately about their folk music, reflecting as it does values of courage, pride and love, as well as a self-mocking humour that is charmingly British.

"Blagovest means good news and it is certainly good news for any community they visit," said spokesman Tanya Campbell.

"Theirs is a journey of faith, an exchange of gifts. No gimmicks, just the most beautiful voices imaginable coming to sing."