Bolschoi Don Kosaken is an Austrian-based male choir founded in 1981 by Prof. Petja Houdjakov, who built it from former members of the legendary Don Cossack Choir of Serge Jaroff - itself formed in 1921 by Russian émigré Cossacks in a Turkish internment camp. The ensemble is unique worldwide as the only male choir composed exclusively of opera soloists, up to 60 performers strong, and has been based in Lower Austria since 1984. Their repertoire spans Russian Orthodox sacred music, Cossack folk songs, and classical romances, performed in traditional Cossack uniforms with dance interludes.
The choir performed a spring European tour with concerts in Korneuburg, Groß Gerungs, Zwettl and Salzburg in May 2026.
A local Austrian report noted the choir was 'presenting itself vocally stronger than ever' at its Whitsun concerts in Stift Zwettl and Groß Gerungs.
A concert at Schloss Greinburg (Grein) and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg were announced for May 2026 as part of the spring tour.
The choir held its traditional Christmas folklore concerts at St. Marienkirche in Berlin on 20 and 25 December 2025.
The annual Christmas concert at the Wiener Konzerthaus (Mozartsaal) took place on 23 December 2025, continuing a tradition spanning more than two decades.
The legendary Russian vocal ensemble Bolshoi Don Cossacks will perform traditional Cossack music at Berlin's St. Mary's Church.
The legendary Russian vocal ensemble Bolshoi Don Cossacks will perform traditional Cossack and Russian songs at Wiener Konzerthaus.