They said they were very much impressed to watch the performance which clearly showcased Juche-oriented art efflorescing and developing under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.

President Alexandr Sokolov, head of the delegation, said that the opera is a work closely associated with his conservatory, adding that words fail to properly give his impression of the opera re-represented by Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun Conservatory.

He stressed that the opera could be successfully re-produced thanks to the meticulous guidance of Kim Jong Il.

He evinced his resolution to boost exchange and cooperation between the two conservatories in the future so as to contribute to the development of the Russia-DPRK friendly relations.

Dean of the Faculty of Vocal Music Pyotr Skusnichenko, a member of the delegation, said that watching the performance he felt that the conservatory in Pyongyang had a high level of education and the artistic talent of its students was also high.

Dean of the Faculty of Directors Stanislav Kalinin, a member of the delegation, noted that the level of musicians of the conservatory orchestra was fairly high as it is difficult to play the music pieces contained in the Russian opera, adding that the performance convinced him of a rosy future of the Korean music.