The Moscow Festival Ballet in Giselle at the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University "where creativity and culture come to life" in Fairfield, Connecticut was a spectacular evening of classic ballet. Giselle was first performed in 1841 by the Ballet de Théâtre de l’Académie de Musique, and the Moscow Festival Ballet provided a gorgeous, classic interpretation of one of ballet’s finest dances.
Moscow Festival Ballet
Giselle
The 2-act romantic classic ballet, Giselle, premiered in Paris in June 1841, with music by Adolphe Adam, libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Théophile Gautier, choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Joseph Perrot, and was performed by the Ballet de Théatre del’Académie de Musique. Interesting to note is that after the ballet’s premier in 1841 in Paris, the ballet was performed in Moscow in 1843 and then performed in St. Petersburg in 1845. Since then, the ballet has long held a place of honor in Russia.
In 2018, the beloved ballet Giselle celebrated its 177th year of performances by esteemed ballet companies throughout the world. The Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University always strives to bring diverse cultural programs to its stage, and for the ballet, Giselle, they envisioned two versions, a classic performance by the internationally renowned Moscow Festival Ballet Company on April 6, 2018, and a contemporary version on April 18, 2018 created by award-winning South African dancer and choreographer Dada Masilio and The Dance Factory, as a part of a "double-dose" of Giselle to provide audiences with two stellar interpretations.
Moscow Festival Ballet Company
The company was founded in Moscow in 1989 under the direction of the famous dancer Sergei Radchenko and includes the Russian National Ballet Theatre with Director Elena Radchenko and the Moscow Festival Ballet with Sergey Radchenko.
On Friday, April 6, 2018, we had the pleasure of attending the Moscow Festival Ballet in Giselle, with sumptuous sets designed by Lev Solodovnikov and lavish costumes designed by Elena Radchenko. Having seen the Russian National Ballet Theatre’s performance of Cinderella in March 2017, we were well familiar with the excellence and high-caliber of the company and its dancers, and the Moscow Festival Ballet’s performance of Giselle proved to be equally note-worthy.
Moscow Festival Ballet
Giselle
This full-length classic ballet in two-acts is about a young and beautiful peasant girl named Giselle who falls in love with a Count who portrays himself as a common villager named Loys to win her heart, although he is already pledged to a countess. Giselle is also sought by the forester, Hilarion, who learns of the identity of the count and warns her against him. When Giselle learns the truth, she becomes mad and ultimately kills herself. It is a tale of love, of tragedy, superstition and ghosts, which proves to be a magical storytelling combination.
The music was stunning, the sets were beautifully designed to capture the imagination, and the lavish costumes made for a wonderful backdrop for the exceptional caliber of the dancers. The main character, Giselle, gave a breathtaking performance in her portrayal, and Count Albrécht, and Hilarion, as well as the rest of the company, created an enchanting evening of dance that will long be remembered as one of excellence. Bravo!
After seeing the first part of the Giselle program by the Moscow Festival Ballet, we eagerly look forward to seeing the second complementary performance by Dado Masilo and The Dance Factory.
Debra C. Argen and member of Moscow Festival Ballet
Until next time, keep on dancing!
Conveniently located in Fairfield, Connecticut, the Quick Center for the Arts is a 30-minute drive from Greenwich and New Haven, a 60-minute drive from Hartford, and a 90-minute drive from New York City.
The Quick Center for the Arts has an extensive program of theatre, dance, opera, classic, and jazz series, as well as family productions throughout the year.
A sampling of the many exciting upcoming programs at the Quick Center for the Arts:
|
Moscow Festival Ballet in Giselle |
April 6, 2018 |
|
The Metropolitan Opera Luisa Miller (Verdi) |
April 14, 2018 |
|
Family Fun Series – Theatre Works USA in The Lightning Thief |
April 15, 2018 |
|
Giselle By Dada Masilo |
April 18, 2018 |
|
Machine de Cirque |
April 20 – 21, 2018 |
|
DBR En Masse |
April 29, 2018 |
|
The Young Artists Series |
March 25, 2018 |
|
The Young Artists Series |
May 6, 2018 |
|
NT Live: Macbeth |
May 17, 2018 |
For information and the complete list of upcoming programs and events, please visit the website, www.QuickCenter.com.
For tickets or information, please call: +1-203-254-4010 or toll-free:1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396).
For information the Moscow Festival and upcoming performances, please visit the website:
Quick Center for the Arts
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
United States
Telephone: +1-203-254-4010
Toll-Free: +1-877-ARTS-396
Email: boxoffice@quickcenter.com
Website: www.QuickCenter.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FairfieldQuickCenter
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