Tribute to Diaghilev I Russian Seasons

World ballet stars, prima ballerinas and premier dancers of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres Denis Rodkin, Eleonora Sevenard, Olesya Novikova, Renata Shakirova, Semyon Chudin and others performed at Zaryadye with a tribute to Diaghilev

The great Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev, who created the artistic association «World of Art» and an entire era of «Russian Seasons», once again became the main hero of the already beloved series of ballet gala evenings. The latest festive evening featuring the finest dancers of our time took place on April 20 at the Moscow concert hall «Zaryadye». This time, the brilliant ballet gala featured prima ballerinas of the Mariinsky Theatre Olesya Novikova and Renata Shakirova, premier dancers of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia Denis Rodkin and Semyon Chudin, prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia Eleonora Sevenard, as well as soloists of the aforementioned theatres: Valeria Kuznetsova, Anna Tikhomirova, Oleg Gabyshev, and many others. The hosts of the evening were stars of dramatic theatre and cinema Tatiana Babenkova and Sergei Epishev.

The legendary organizer and creator did so much for Russian ballet and its worldwide fame that he will remain in the history of dance forever. A magician and wizard of the theatre, the Karabas-Barabas of Russian ballet, an inventor and dictator, Sergei Diaghilev adored showering his friends and loved ones with gifts from childhood, delighting them with unexpected surprises. He tried to time the premieres of his productions especially for anniversaries and holidays. «Astonish me», — the genius impresario would appeal to his collaborators and artists.

And so the creators of the spring gala «Russian Seasons» came up with this unique performance.

The lucky audience member who came to the beautiful concert hall «Zaryadye» that evening was treated to a meeting with the brightest and most beloved numbers from the Diaghilev Seasons: «Scheherazade» and «The Firebird», «Don Quixote» and «The Nutcracker», «The Sleeping Beauty» and «Swan Lake», as well as excerpts from other famous ballets and specially prepared homages performed by premier dancers and prima ballerinas of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres, the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Musical Theatre, and other major theatres of Russia.

The hosts of the evening and guides through the history of the «Russian Seasons» were star actors of cinema and Moscow dramatic theatres.

The author of multimedia decorations on the theme of the Diaghilev Seasons — renowned Russian artist and theatrical producer Pavel Kaplevich.