The dance routines did not feature live singing and resembled the sort of ethnic performances that tourists see in China's autonomous regions. Much more interesting was a dance by a “shaman,” who pounded on a small drum, as he appeared to be summoning or fighting spirits.
The quartet and Ondar's solo, however, were nothing short of amazing, and worth the price of admission. Ondar and the quartet did indeed capture the beauty of the Siberian steppe, or so it seemed.
When asked before the concert if this is what he thinks about when he performs, a singer who gave his name as Ayan paused briefly before saying through a translator that the songs he sings were passed down to him by his ancestors.
“When I sing, I can see our nature,” said the 24-year-old, who explained in Russian that he started singing when he was nine and has performed in places like Chicago and New York.
But sometimes he just thinks about how he's singing in a concert, and he often just thinks about the girls back home.
“Tuvan girls are beautiful, because girls in other countries are different,” he said.
Performance notes:
What: Sayan Mountains, an ensemble of throat singers, musicians and dancers from the Republic of Tuva
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