Our Highlights of Mikhailovsky Ballet's "The Flames of Paris" @SegestromArts #SCFTA

This is a post written by Carolina Gonzalez. All opinions are our own. 

The 2014 - 2015 International Dance Series started out with a BANG as spectacular energy filled the stage of Segerstrom Hall on Friday, November 28th with a performance of The Flames of Paris by world-renowned Mikhailovsky Ballet from St. Petersburg, Russia. It was a night full of magic and incredible dance as Ivan Vasiliev defied gravity!!

As I have mentioned on previous posts, my mom and I LOVE ballet, and watching The Flames of Paris together over Thanksgiving weekend was such a treat for our mother-daughter time!

PREVIEW TALK

One of the coolest things of the night was the Preview Talk with with Mikhail Messerer, choreographer-in-chief of the Mikhailovsky Ballet. He gave us an insight into the ballet culture in Russia. He also talked about his well renowned family members that have made a great impact and contribution to what is ballet today. What struck me the most of all the things he mentioned, was even though dancers nowadays are so great in their technique, he still values artistry the most. I totally agree, and you could see it in his students.

Segerstrom Center - Mikhailovsky Ballet's The Flames of Paris - Photo by Stas Levshin

The Flames of Paris took us back in time into the historical period of the French Revolution. This ballet was truly remarkable! It was full of extraordinary athleticism demonstrated from all the dancers. From flying leaps and turns to the most delicate and beautiful artistry from both Ivan Vasiliev and Oksana Bondareva, watching this company's performance felt like a gift.

The most majestic backdrops brought this ballet to life.  The Marseille countryside (where we first met the principal dancers Jeanne - Oksana Bondareva and Philippe - Ivan Vasiliev) was very realistic. From there, we were transported into the Royal Palace where the room was filled with glittering chandeliers and curtains. At last, to celebrate the overturn of the aristocracy, we were transported to the town square where victory flags were seen everywhere. We celebrated together!

Costume design was spectacular as it was filled with intricate details and elegant finishes. It defined the characters so well as it played an important part in illustrating the story. Well done! 

The final bow after the curtains came down was one of the funniest moments of the night. Dancer Ivan Vasiliev leaped in and out of the curtain to his applause. What a character!

MIKHAILOVSKY BALLET's The Flames of Paris (American Premiere) performed at Segerstrom Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California November 28 - 30, 2014. For more information about their Dance Series, please visit their website at www.scfta.org.

Disclosure: We received media tickets for reviewing purposes. All opinions are our own. All photos are by Carolina Gonzalez unless where indicated.

Dance celebrities like Marcelo Gomez and Herman Cornejo from American Ballet Theatre were present in the audience that night. (I was starstruck to meet Marcelo Gomez from American Ballet Theatre.) It was the best photo opp ever!!

Thanks, Segestrom Center for the Arts, for an amazing night of dance!
-Carolina
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A review by Carolina Gonzalez. Carolina is a newbie in LA ready to discover all the hidden jewels this city offers. Carolina loves life, travel, volunteering, ballet, theatre, fashion and desserts - oh yeah! You can follow Carolina on Instagram and Twitter @CaroinLAcity.