Following their sell-out performances of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, the Imperial Russian Ballet Company return to Australia. This diverse and stunning programme in three awe-inspiring acts is proudly presented by Russian Ballet Ltd.

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company have performed this three-hour ballet extravaganza all around the world, thrilling audiences and impressing critics. This stunning and diverse programme consists of an eclectic mix ranging from the magnificent Don Quixote, to the hilarious Can Can Surprise and from the dramatic Bolero to the beautiful Giselle and Dying Swan.

ACT I - DON QUIXOTE

ACT II - BOLERO

ACT III - HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WORLD'S GREAT BALLETS

www.russianballet.com.au

ACT I - DON QUIXOTE

Don Quixote, a retired gentleman travels the roads of Spain searching for glory and grand adventure. Accompanying him is Sancho Panza who he has persuaded to accompany him. Don Quixote gives up food and shelter for the love of a peasant woman.

Don Quixote was first performed in Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre in 1869. Since then it has been performed all over the world by Russian and international ballet companies.

ACT II – BOLERO

First there was darkness, then there was light and then there was the Godhead. The people made sacrifices, built a temple and laid themselves all the way along to the temple. "Bolero" is a striking and dramatic ballet. Ravel was inspired to create the masterpiece after visiting a large industrial factory. There he noted the slow regular movement of the assembly lines, and the crash of machine and materials. "Bolero" is regarded as one of world music’s masterpieces.

ACT III - HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WORLD'S GREAT BALLETS

Highlights from the world’s great ballets including Giselle, The Dying Swan and Le Corsaire. Also in Act Three, Gopak and Ne Me Quittes Pas, Can Can Surprise

IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BALLET COMPANY

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company was formed in 1994 by the Bolshoi Theatre soloist, Gediminas Taranda. They have combined the unity and integrity of the great Russian Ballet Schools where traditions are passed on from one generation to another. The founders of the company acknowledge and respect the Russian Imperial dynasty which has made such a contribution to the development of the arts and in establishing the system of Imperial theatres including the Bolshoi and the Marinski theatres. The prime choreographic style adopted by the Company is a classical one, however they also indulge in modern dance. Their stage repertoire is based on the combination of classical masterpieces and modern choreographic pieces.

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company has been touring world-wide since 1994. They have staged classic masterpieces in the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Mossovet Theatre. The home venue for the troupe when they perform in Moscow is now the Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre. The cast of 40 elite dancers and support staff will travel to Australia in October & November 2017.

GEDIMINAS TARANDA – HEAD & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Gediminas Taranda was born in Kaliningrad in 1961 and grew up in Voronezh. He trained at the State Academic Moscow Ballet School from 1978-1980 before joining the Bolshoi Baller as a soloist. For thirteen years until 1993 Gediminas Taranda was a star of the Bolshoi Theatre performing in many ballets including: "Golden Age", "Giselle", "Ivan the Terrible", "The Stone Flowers" and "Spartacus".

In 1994 he formed and became Artistic Director of The Imperial Russian Ballet Company bringing on board friends who were dancers at the Bolshoi and Kirov ballets including Maija Pilsetskaya who is one of Russia’s most famous ballerinas.
She supported the company and in 1994 they performed with her on stage to celebrate her 50th anniversary as a performer. In 1996, she was named President of the Imperial Russian Ballet Company.
Gediminas Taranda has produced and participated in many charitable performances to raise funds for the struggle against cancer, and is an active participant of AAD (Art Against Drugs) in association with "The Russian Fund of Culture".
In 1997 he was awarded the title "Man of the Year" and the "Silver Cross Award". In 2004 he received an award from the Russian Federation honouring his work in the Arts and in 2008 was the winner of the Diaghilev medal for his contribution to art.
He was invited to work as a motivational coach for the Russian Gymnastics team at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. His strive for perfection with all whom he works with is best epitomised in his own words: "If something is worth fighting for, you have to fight until the last breath (is left) in your body".