Kim Jong Il was greeted at the theatre by Pavel Borisovich Ovsyannikov, head and chief conductor of the "Orchestra of the 21st Century" of Russia, Nataliya Semyonova, administrative manager of the orchestra, and Valery Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.

He warmly welcomed the Russian orchestra's visit to the DPRK and had a cordial talk with the guests.

When he appeared in the auditorium of the theatre, the audience enthusiastically welcomed him, extending highest glory and warmest thanks to him, representing the deepest reverence of all the Korean women for Kim Jong Il who has ushered in the greatest heyday of the Korean women's movement, brought up the Korean women as genuine mistresses of the revolution and construction and provided them with a worthwhile life and happiness.

He warmly congratulated the women officials on the International Women's Day and extended a warm salute to all the women of the DPRK performing shining feats to go down in the history of the country by fully displaying the revolutionary stamina of the Korean women on all fronts for building a thriving nation.

Among the audience were senior party, state and army officials Kim Jong Un, Choe Yong Rim, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Hong Sok Hyong, Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Kyong Hui, Kang Sok Ju, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Yang Gon, Kim Yong Il, Pak To Chun, Choe Ryong Hae, Thae Jong Su, Kim Phyong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Ju Kyu Chang, U Tong Chuk, Kim Rak Hui and women members and alternate members of the Central Committee of the WPK in Pyongyang, women deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly, Ro Song Sil, chairwoman of the C.C., the Democratic Women's Union of Korea, and other officials of the union, women labor innovators of factories and enterprises here and women writers, journalists, newscasters, creators and artistes.

Also among the audience were the Russian ambassador and his wife and official diplomats of the Russian embassy here.

Their colorful performance included mixed chorus "Song in Praise of Women in Songun Era," female sextet and chorus "Women Are Flowers," male solo "My Mother," music "Tondollari," male solo and pangchang "My Wife," mixed duet "Lily Bell" and mixed octet "Toast", songs of Soviet Union, and mixed quartet "I live for You," Italian song.

The performance staged by People's Artistes, Merited Artistes, international concours winners and other famous conductors, instrumentalists and vocalists was acclaimed by the audience for their high artistry and excellent representation.

As the performance was over, they broke into enthusiastic cheers.

Kim Jong Il acknowledged the rousing cheers of the performers and audience and congratulated the artistes on their successful performance.

He met leading members of the Russian orchestra after the performance and expressed deep thanks to them for staging a splendid joint performance, pleasing and encouraging the women of the DPRK significantly marking the International Women's Day.