Thursday, June 24, 2010

Adrenalin, Agility and the Arts celebrated in Monaco


Following the excitement of the Grand Prix in Monaco in May, another short, narrow and winding adrenalin-packed course is being created in Monaco, this time for a very different but high profile event being held there this weekend.

The world’s best horse riders will be in town from 25 – 27 June for Monaco’s International Show Jumping, taking on one of the most taxing obstacle courses on the world circuit. Requiring great agility from both the horses and their riders, only the best riders in the world can rise to this challenge, which forms part of the Global Champions World Circuit Tour.

Another celebration of agility and dance is the Centenary of the Ballet Russes (Russian Ballet) that takes place until mid July in Monaco. Over the last few months 200 dance events, 23 premiers and several of the world’s finest dance companies have come together to celebrate 100 years of ballet in the principality.

The Ballets Russes caused great excitement in Monte Carlo 100 years ago, when Russian impresario Sergei de Diaghilev arrived with his dancers fresh from wowing Parisian high society. The Ballets Russes became a way to provide quality entertainment for those being drawn from all over the world to play at the legendary Monte Carlo Casino. The then newly built Opera House designed by Charles Garnier was the spectacular setting for over 80 ballet performances involving the talents of great composers such as Debussy, Strauss and Prokofiev and Russian ballet stars Nijinsky, Balanchine and Anna Pavlova.

After being disbanded in the late 1960s, the illustrious ballet company was resurrected in 1985 by the then HSH Princess Caroline of Monaco and is now known as the Ballets de Monte-Carlo.

The grand finale will take place on the weekend of 3-4 July, when the third and final act will be showcased with long awaited performances, original works by world renowned choreographers and the involvement of the Monaco Fire Brigade for a unique and explosive night. Further centenary performances will continue until 17th July.
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