Last weekend I planned a “Mommy and Daughter” night with my ballerina since Russia’s Mariinsky Ballet was in town, performing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. It was a night of girl time, and inspiration as my daughter watched those beautiful ballerina’s in awe as the Mariinsky Ballet is one of the world’s most influential and historically rich dance companies.
We were delighted to experience the opening the Center’s 30th Season with Raymonda (the “last grand ballet” of the 19th century). Performing with the Mariinsky Orchestra, this was the company’s eighth visit to the Center and the first time this masterpiece from the Golden Age of Russian classical ballet will be performed in Southern California.
Since this was our first opportunity to see the Mariinsky Ballet company, we didn’t that we were in for a fabulous evening. The ballet is set in medieval Hungary and tells the story of a beautiful young noblewoman who is conflicted by her love for her boyfriend, the crusader knight Jean de Brienne. While he was away in battle, she also became quite smitten with a handsome Saracen warrior. During the first act, it is Raymonda’s birthday and there is entertainment and dance. She receives a tapestry gift from her boyfriend and daydreams that he emerges from the tapestry. The act is Filled with dazzling solos, spellbinding duets and intricate ensembles. During the second act, the Saracen warrior attempts to abduct Raymonda, but stopped by Jean de Brienne. In the final act, there is a joyous celebration as they defeated Abderkhman.
As with all events at Segerstrom Center For the Arts, they have pre show activities, one being a introduction and lecture regarding the ballet we were about to see. There were also picture opportunities available that we just had to take part in…
Since my darling daughter is currently enrolled at a dance school close to home studying to be a ballerina, I felt it only fitting that we posed as ballerina’s; tutus and all to remember our evening. Even when we were leaving, she talked about how she wanted to learn to do all the things these Russian ballerinas did, and is ready to continue her lessons to go as far as she can go, whether it is performing for an amazing company like the Mariinsky Ballet or something as simple as dancing for Disney in local parades at Disneyland. I just love that taking her to performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts inspires her to continue to strive for her dream.
The Mariinsky Ballet, originally known as the Imperial Russian Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet dates back to the 1740s, following the establishment of the first Russian dance school (now the Vaganova Ballet Academy) in 1738. The renaissance of Russian ballet, by and large, was the result of the creative genius of France’s Marius Petipa and the Mariinsky troupe coming together during the latter part of the 19th century. In addition to Raymonda, the results of this collaboration include La Bayadère, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, garnering the Mariinsky Ballet the highest esteem in classical ballet. Raymonda was created by the Mariinsky and premiered in 1898. The current production received its premiere in 1948. Sets and costumes are by Simon Virsaladze.
ABOUT SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS:
Previously called the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Center is Orange County’s largest non-profit arts organization. In addition to its six performance venues, Segerstrom Center is also home to the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, where students ages 3 – 14 are taught by acclaimed teaches utilizing the renowned ABT National Training Curriculum in studios utilized by the world’s greatest dancers and choreographers .
The Center presents a broad range of programming for audiences of all ages, including international ballet and dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, intimate performances of jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by renowned chamber orchestras and ensembles, family friendly programming, free performances open to the public from outdoor movie screenings to dancing on the plaza and many other special events.
