On Wednesday, October 14, from 8 p.m., the Chamber Hall of the Macedonian Philharmonic becomes a hall of Russian romances. The concert marks the 30th anniversary of "Romansiyada", the international movement and competition for performers of romances.

On stage will be winners and laureates of the competition, singers who have represented the country in Moscow, members of the Chorus of the National Opera and Ballet, as well as young vocalists and instrumentalists. The Macedonian participants in the competition are sent by the Russian association "Chaika" from Skopje.

The evening is led by pianist Elena Siljanoska, a répétiteur at the National Opera and Ballet and creator of the Slavic cultures project "Alkonost". The name is borrowed from Slavic mythology, where Alkonost is a bird whose song brings happiness.

The programme is broad: classical and salon romances, works by contemporary composers and film music. The organisers promise something the audience knows well, but also something that has never been performed here before.

The concert lasts about 90 minutes, and tickets cost 400 denars via karti.com.mk. In a season full of arenas and spectacles, this is an evening just for piano and voice.