Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival was created by Nikolai Massenkoff, born of Russian parents in the " white russian " community in China. At the age of three Nikolai was put in the St. Tichon Orphanage in Shanghai, China, established by St. Archbishop John ( Maksimovich ) of Shanghai,
later of San Francisco..At the age of twelve Nikola iarrived in San Francisco, California, after staying two years on Phillipine Islands with other " white russian " immigrants.
Nikolai attended the public schools in San Francisco, including City College ( A.A.) San Francisco State University ( B.A. ) Bachelor's , majoring in music, speach and drama..
following his education, Nikolai completed education studies and received a teaching credential, served in the US Arm reserves and went to Moscow's Tchaikovsky Competition, the Fourth International Competition. Nikolai was invited to study with the Italian Opera Star, Tito Gobbi, in Florence Italy...also studied with George London in Austria and with Alexander Kipnis in Westport Connecticut..
In 1975, Nikolai founded the MASSENKOFF RUSSIAN FOLK FESTIVAL, a festival of russian music song and dance.
Starring: Nikolai Massenkoff, Bass baritone,
Featuring: MRFF Balalaika Ensemble and soloists
and Russian Folk Ballet ..
The songs are from Tsarists Russian, from the 1940, the war period, various songs of nature, popular folk songs, Gypsy songs of love and jeoulosy....
The Balalaika Ensemble is composed of virtuoso musicians, conservatory graduates on ethnic instruments..Balalaika, Bayan, Domra, etc...
The dancers, currently, immigrants from Russia, many were with the Moyseev Company..
Dances featured; Russian, Maldavian, Gerogian,
Ukranian, etc....
MRFF has performed in various fine arts centers, including: Carnegie Hall in New York, Concord Pavillion on West Coast, im many major Universities in United States and abroad. With many symphonies, featuring Nikolai as singer and conductor, MRFF Balalaika Ensemble and dancers with the symphony. ( Orchestrations available ).
The entire program is done in original russian, with program notes in the prgram... Usually a russian lesson is included , brief one, at the end of the first half of the performance...
the audience usually participates in singing and clpping and sometimes in dancing...
CHILDREN' S PROGRAM
Nikolai with his troupe, enjoys giving programs for school children, teaching them about Russia, customs, traditions, about costumes and people, about dances, musical instruments, language....
Next school performances will take place in
the Barstow Schools, March 1, 1999.
One of the largest performances took place when MRFF were invited to participate in the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Korea....Massenkoff represented Russia ( since there was no diplomatic relationship with South Korea at that time ). Massenkoff was performing with international stars along with American favorites, Bob Hope, Brook Shields, etc...
Some of the Sympnonies that MRFF has performed with: San Francisco, Baltimore, Miami,
Honolulu, Edmontom,.. and many others..
next performance;
28 February 1999, Long Beach Convention Center,
Sunday at 2:00 pm.
For further information call: Sandra Calvin, Representative for MRFF; 415 753 3715
OR MASSENKOFF; 415 586 -9654
RECORDINGS;
CASSETTES AND TAPES OF RUSSIAN FOLK SONGS ARE AVAILABLE.
Nikolai Massenkoff is also performing as a solo artist in piano voice recitals of songs and arias in Italian, German, French and specializing in Russian, his native language.

Massenkoff is available for solo recitals with piano or with symphony orchestra. Orchestrations for symphony are available for voice, russian instruments and russian dances.
VLADIMIR ROMANENKOV, PIANIST of Russian decent, originally from Germany were he received his training and graduated from the Berlin Conservatory of Music. Mr. Romanenkov has been accompanying Mr. Massenkoff in the Italian songs, German Leader, French Art Songs and
Russian Art songs and Arias in recitals..
Nikolai Massenkoff , following his performance at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Korea, has been called, " world celebrated singer."