STARS OF THE BOLSHOI BALLET PERFORM AT THE EXCLUSIVE HOMMAGE AUX GRIMALDI GALA DINNER IN MONTE CARLO

Par INFO MEDITERRANEE le juin 20, 2015 dansAnnée de la Russie à MonacoArt de la DanseCulture

MONTE CARLO, MONACO: Hommage aux Grimaldi, the prestigious and exclusive invitation only events promoting global awareness for the arts, celebrated the second of three soirées last week with a spectacular Gala dinner at the Hotel Hermitage, Monte Carlo.

Establishing the event as one of the highlights of The Year of Russia in Monaco, the Gala proudly showcased the work of the world-renowned Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres. The twinkling candlelit terrace of the historic Hotel Hermitage played host to a champagne reception, before guests were invited into the hotel’s Salle Belle Époque ballroom where they experienced once-in-a-lifetime intimate performances by soloists from the Bolshoi Ballet. Principle dancer of the Bolshoi Artem Ovcharenko and first soloist Anna Tikhomirova wowed guests with a stunning performance of Adagio from Giselle , then soloist Kristina Karaseva and Dmitry Ekaterinin performed a beautiful scene from Don Quichot . This was all under the watchful eye of the Bolshoi’s Artistic Director Sergei Filin, who had flown in especially to attend and support Hommage aux Grimaldi.

Kristina Karaseva (Soloist, Bolshoi Ballet) and Dmitry Ekaterinin (Dancer, Bolshoi Ballet)

Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Ballet Sergei Filin says, “We are all united here by culture and art. I represent the wonderful art of ballet, a dance which represents beauty and love”.

Principle dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Artem Ovcharenko said, “We were delighted to be asked to perform at Hommage aux Grimaldi and honoured to support such wonderful events reinforcing the relationship between Russia and Monaco through the art of ballet”.

Artem Ovcharenko (Principal Dancer, Bolshoi Ballet) and Anna Tikhomirova (First Soloist, Bolshoi Ballet)

Operatic stars Julia Matochkina and Gregory Thernetsov from the Mariinsky Theatre performed arias from Russian operas accompanied at the piano by Larisa Gergiev. The performers and host Agata Gotova were dressed by couture designers Isabell Kristensen and Robert Nowosad in their stunning designs.

Among the international royalty, VIPs and elite members of the Monegasque society were; Baron Christian de Massy, Prince Serge of Yugoslavia, Prince Lobanov-Rostovsky, Prince de Polignac, Princess Anne de la Tour d’Auvergne Lauraguais, Nina Princess of Seborga, Count Pierre Sheremetev, Lady Monika Barcardi, Archimandrite Aleksandr of St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Nice, Stéphane Renault, Helga Piaget, sculptor Mateo Mornar and couture designer Isabell Kristensen.

Speaking at the Gala Prince Serge of Yugoslavia said “The party was a fabulous evening for Monte Carlo and the Russian Year, I enjoyed it so much. The Russian ballet and opera singers created a beautiful atmosphere at the hotel Hermitage”.

Also at the event was President of Monaco’s Tourist and Convention Authority Guillaume Rose, who said, “From the Bolshoi Ballet dancers to Mariinsky opera singers, these events are the true expression of Russia’s still-living influence on the intense artistic life of Monaco. Hommage aux Grimaldi has brought together an astonishing sum of talents”.

Guillaume Rose (President of Monaco’s Tourist and Convention Authority), Maria Prorvich (Sergei Filin’s wife and Bolshoi Ballet Ballerina) and Sergei Filin (Artistic Director, Bolshoi Ballet)

Аndrey Marudenko (Founder, Hommage aux Grimaldi) and Tokhtar Tuleshov (Sponsor, Hommage aux Grimaldi)

About Hommage aux Grimaldi:

This year Hommage aux Grimaldi is presenting a series of Gala events and one historical science conference supporting the arts and The Year of Russia in Monaco 2015. It is a tribute to the House of Grimaldi celebrating the history and culture that has united these two countries for centuries. Its aim is to recreate evenings reminiscent of 19 th century gatherings that enjoyed and appreciated fine music and the arts. In future years the organisation will represent the arts of many nations that have strong ties to Monaco in their culture, heritage and arts.

The founders and creators of Hommage aux Grimaldi are Agata Gotova and Andrey Marudenko, and the event’s sponsor is Tochtar Tuleshov.