On October 28 the performance of the Imperial Russian Ballet company directed by the Meritorious Artist of the Russian Federation Gediminis Taranda was staged in the Canberra College. The arrangement was organized by the Russian Embassy in Australia. The audience got a chance to watch a light, elegant, romantic «Les Sylphides», that took spectators into the magical dreamworld, created by the music of great Frederic Chopin with its distinctive lyric dreaminess.
Airy dances were masterfully performed by ballet dancers under accompaniment of tender melodies. They deeply touched feelings of more than two hundred honourable guests. Among them – heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, President of the Womens International Club Canberra Ms Lindy Ross, Dean of St John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Canberra Archpriest Fr Aleksander Morozow, Director of the First Russian House Museum in Australia, Chief of All Cossack’s Stanitza in Australia Mr Michael Ovchinnikov, academia and students of the Australian National University, Russian compatriots and other connoisseurs of the high art. Prior the ballet performance a welcome cocktail was offered to the guests.
In his opening speech Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Australia H.E. Grigory Logvinov emphasized that the Russian ballet is a national proud and a “trade mark” of Russia. It serves to strengthen Russian-Australian ties even under current quite complicated circumstances, when a notable cooling in bilateral relations is marked. The Russian ballet allows international public to rediscover Russia with its cultural richness and diversity, get acquainted with best examples of Russian ballet school. He noted the constant cordiality of the Australian audience towards Russian guest artists, which many ballet experts and true connoisseurs among them. All performances in the framework of the Imperial Russian Ballet tour in Australia were welcomed full theatre halls and ovations.
The event was held in a festive and solemn atmosphere. After the performance the guests took memorable photos with ballet dancers. Leaving the hall, they shared their bright impressions.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Australia
