Komsomolskaya Pravda: "Prime Minister and his spouse attend Larisa Dolina concert"
Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin attended a Larisa Dolina concert yesterday at the Festivalny concert hall.
The Prime Minister made a last minute decision to attend the concert after a break in his evening schedule. The couple arrived just before the concert began. Many members of the audience did not recognize the Putins, and those who were seated on the sides of the passage were surprised to see the Putins headed to their seats in the 11th row.
Mr Putin has been to two other concerts in Sochi over the last few years - a Philipp Kirkorov concert and a concert put on by Lyube, the Prime Minister's favourite band.
Incidentally, Mr Putin has previously said what he thinks about Larisa Dolina's talent. When Mr Putin was President and Larisa Dolina a member of Presidential Culture and Art Council, at a meeting she mentioned that she was opposed to playing pre-recorded music at concerts. In response, Mr Putin noted that "If we prohibit pre-recorded music at concerts, the only singer who will continue to perform will be Larisa Dolina, and five or six others, no more." Needless to say, Larisa Dolina's shows do not include pre-recorded music.
The Putins enjoyed the concert. They did not go backstage to greet the singer as is customary for many celebrities, but expressed their appreciation by their applause and then went home to their Riviera Residence.
Larisa Kaftan
