Lyric

From the very beginnings of the Opera House an elegant clientele including many aristocrats from Saint Petersburg flocked to hear the eminent divas of the day in Monte-Carlo.

Upon the advice of Tsar Alexander III, Prince Albert I^st named the enterprising Raoul Gunsbourg to head the Monte-Carlo Opera in 1892. Through his relations the new director managed to bring dancers from the Russian Imperial Ballet to Monaco; later Serge Diaghilev's company, the Ballets Russes, began making triumphal appearances in 1911. Through his unique personality and charm Gunsbourg drew many prominent artists to the Principality including Fiodor Chaliapin, the bass who, together with Diaghilev, represented Russian traditions in the arts and brought worldwide fame to the Monte-Carlo Opera.

The Monte-Carlo Opera's current Director Jean-Louis Grinda is calling upon young and promising artists to pay tribute to those legendary figures of the early 20th century in a gala event entitled "Discovering Russian Archives". Under the direction of the gifted young maestro Dimitri Jorowski significant and sometimes rarely performed scores will come to life once again… music that was once a revelation to the stylish audiences of Western Europe.

On this occasion and during the entire Ballets Russes Centennial year the Monte-Carlo Opera Chorus will be performing with the  Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.

"Discovering Russian Archives"

Monte-Carlo Opera

Friday, December 4th 2009 at 8 PM

Musical  Director: Dmitri Jurowski

Guelena Gaskarova (soprano) - Diana Axentii (mezzo-soprano) - Teodor Ilincai (tenor) - Andreï Bondarenko (baritone) - Alexeï Tikhomirov (bass)