The Palatului Hall was full on Wednesday evening for the approximately 4,000 spectators who came to the “Balanchine’s Legacy” International Ballet Gala, an unprecedented event in Romania, entirely dedicated to the creation of the famous choreographer George Balanchine.
The exceptional cultural event was dedicated exclusively to the creation of George Balanchine, one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century. The program, made up entirely of Balanchine choreographies, presented with the rigor and fidelity required by The George Balanchine Trust, represented an absolute first for our country.
The evening was presented by the actress Ada Condeescu, who guided the audience with elegance and sensitivity through the universe of neoclassical ballet, giving the event an extra intelligence and artistic understanding.
“Each appearance of the ballerinas on stage was greeted with intense applause and ovations, in a hall deeply connected to what was happening on stage, a clear sign of the evening’s artistic impact. (…) The audience had the opportunity to enjoy live the impeccable evolutions of some of the most valuable ballerinas of the moment, who came to Bucharest to perform pas de deux and fragments considered jewels of the Balanchine repertoire. It is about Sara Mearns and Tyler Angle, New York City Ballet principals, Hannah O’Neill and Germain Louvet, Paris Opera Ballet principals, Caroline Baldwin and Alban Lendorf, Royal Danish Ballet principals, Virna Toppi and Nicola Del Freoprincipal ballerinas at Teatro La Scala in Milan and Karina González and Angelo Greco, principal ballerinas at Houston Ballet”says a Pi Art Vision press release.
Elite audience at an elite gala
The International Ballet Gala “Balanchine’s Legacy” attracted a large audience, from young dance enthusiasts to personalities of cultural, political and diplomatic life. Among those present were ambassadors, ministers, artists and people of culture, confirming the status of the gala as one of the most important cultural events of the beginning of the year.
The meeting between Victor Rebengiuc and David Popovici was one of the emotional moments of the evening.
The champion later posted on Facebook a few words about the memorable encounter.
“Some meetings are never forgotten. For me this was one of them. To be face to face with the maestro victor Rebengiuc, a titan of the Romanian theater, a living lesson of talent, dignity and strength, was a rare privilege.(…)”, wrote David Popovici on his Facebook account.
Victor Rebengiuc: “He, David Popovici, is a great man!”
The actor Victor Rebengiuc, who was applauded for a long time by the spectators when the actress Ada Condeescu wished him a happy birthday, modestly stated about the one with whom he saw the show: “Ehee, he, David Popovici, is a big man!”.
The “Balanchine’s Legacy” International Ballet Gala, conceived by the sisters Alice and Marina Minoiu, had as its main sponsor Philip Morris Romania, being organized under the Ars Gratia Regalia brand, known for premium cultural events, which bring to Romania some of the best artists such as Natalia Osipova, prima ballerina at The Royal Opera House, Iana Salenko, prima ballerina at Staatsballett Berlin, Recee Clarke and Yasmine Naghdi (The Royal Ballet), Julian MacKay and Madison Young (Bayerische Stattsballett), Francesca Velicu (English National Ballet).
