The Don Cossack Choir was founded in 1921 by Serge Jaroff with Russian Cossacks exiled and interned near Istanbul. They initially performed religious services and outdoor concerts, gaining popularity among British audiences. Their breakthrough came with a performance at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria, in June 1923, followed by a debut in Vienna, Austria, on July 4, 1923. The choir's repertoire included Russian sacred music, opera excerpts, imperial army songs, folk tunes, and Cossack dances. They gained significant international recognition, performing across Europe and the United States throughout the 1930s to 1950s. Serge Jaroff directed the choir until 1981, when he transferred rights to Otto Hofner. The choir continued performing under various leaderships, including Michael Minsky and Wanja Hlibka.
