The cultural ties between Russia and the Principality of Monaco will forever be attributed to the genius of the impresario Sergei Diaghilev.

Sergei Diaghilev, the hugely influential and charismatic impresario, brought to Monte-Carlo some of the most brilliant Russian artists of the 20th century – dancers, choreographers, composers and designers.

We recently featured an exhibition entitled The Year of Russia Celebrates Dance – a tribute to the era of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in Monte-Carlo – currently on display in the Atrium of the Casino.

Anastasia Stashkevich

Diaghilev was the creative spirit behind the initiation of the celebrated Russian Seasons in Monaco – productions showcasing the talents of his extraordinarily gifted and innovative artists after the establishment of his Ballets Russes in 1910. Almost 100 years later – in 2012 – Diaghilev’s legacy was again celebrated in a memorable Russian Gala at the Grimaldi Forum, featuring dancers of the Bolshoi, the Mariinsky, and the Mikhailovsky Theatres in a selection of classical and contemporary works.

Now, with the current year-long celebration of Russia in Monaco, this fabulous event is to be recreated in the Salle des Princes, again starring leading dancers from these three great Russian ballet companies.

Anastasia Stashkevich & Michael Lobukhin

From the Bolshoi there are performances by Kristina Kretova, Anastasia Stashkevich, Anna Tikhomirova, Mikhail Lobukhin and Artem Ovcharenko. The Mikhailovsky is represented by Irina Perren, Sabina Iapparova, Leonid Sarafanov and Marat Shemiunov, and there is a contemporary work, Light Dance, from Mariinsky dancers Olesia Novikova and Filipp Stepin.

Irina Perren and Marat Shemiunov

The Russian Gala takes place in the Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum on 12th and 13th September. Tickets are available by callling +377 9999 3000, or online at the Grimaldi Forum website.

 

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All photographs courtesy Grimaldi Forum – all rights reserved
Lead image – Bolshoi dancers Anna Tikhomirova and Artem Ovcharenko
Second image – Anastasia Staskevich – from the Bolshoi
Third image – The Bolshoi’s Anastasia Staskevich with Mikhail Lobukhin
Final image – The Mikhailovsky’s Irina Perren and Marat Shemiunov

 

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