Russian New Year Gala - St. Petersburg 300th Anniversary Celebration
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 12 January 2003
Russian New Year Gala - St. Petersburg 300th Celebration was a spectacular and varied gala of dance, opera and instrumental masterpieces with appearances by stars of the Mariinsky-Kirov Opera and Ballet, Irma Nioradze (ballerina) Marianna Tarasova (mezzo soprano), Vladimir Moroz (baritone) British violin star Chloë, leading British and Russian actors and soloists of the Russian Chamber Orchestra of London. There was also an exhibition, 'Black & White St. Petersburg', followed by a dinner at the splendid "People's Palace" restaurant.
The New Year Gala - St. Petersburg 300 Celebration marked the launch of the Russian-British Cultural Association - an organisation which seeks to highlight the cultural ties and celebrate the cultural heritage of Russia and the Great Britain. The establishment of the RBCA was welcomed by Baroness Blackstone, Minister of State for the Arts. To see the message of welcome from Baroness Blackstone, Minister of State for the Arts, to the Russian British Cultural Association click here.
Marianna Tarasova has been a principal mezzo-soprano at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg since 1992. She has also collaborated with the world-famous conductors and appeared at Metropolitan Opera, New York, Covent Garden, Salzburg Festival, La Scala and other opera houses.
Irma Nioradze is the prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Ballet. Since joining the company in 1992, Irma has performed numerous title roles, including Odette in Swan Lake, Kitri in Don Quixote, Giselle, Raymonda and The Fire Bird.
Evgeny Ivanchenko is the principle dancer of at the Mariinsky Ballet. He graduated from the Vaganova Academy and joined the company in 1993. His roles include Jean de Brienne and the Troubadour in Raymonda, Basil and Espada in Don Quixote, Prince Siegfield in Swan Lake, The Prince in The Nutcracker, Albrecht in Giselle.
Vladimir Moroz is the principle baritone at the Mariinsky Theatre. He made his debut at the Byelorussian National Opera as Eugene Onegin and became the member of the company (1997-1999). In 1999 he joined the Young Singers’ Academy of the Mariinsky Theatre. Vladimir Moroz has been a prizewinner of major international competitions and has sung major title roles in La Scala, Teatro Real and Covent Garden.
The Russian Chamber Orchestra of London - since its establishment in 1998 RCOL has appeared at the most prestigious festivals and venues around the UK and in Europe. Among its members are prizewinners of international competitions such as Paganini, Tchaikovsky and BBC. The Orchestra has performed with such internationally acclaimed artists as John Lill, Boris Berezovsky, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Janine Jansen, Yury Bashmet and many others.
