Scene from Maillot’s ‘Cinderella’ © Alice Blangero
In celebration of the 30th anniversary season of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Principality of Monaco is holding a week-long series of events in New York, highlighting the wealth of the Principality’s cultural heritage.
Included in the celebrations are performances of Jean-Christophe Maillot’s ballet Cinderella (Cendrillon), an exhibition of photographs – Inside Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo – by Monaco-born Alice Blangero – and a culinary week, Flavors of Monaco, presented by chef Paolo Sari. All these Monégasque delights are being presented by the Consulate General of Monaco and the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York, with the support of the Embassy of Monaco to the United States.
Maillot’s Cinderella, set to Sergei Prokofiev’s simply gorgeous score, is a far cry from the familiar visual concept we have of Charles Perrault’s original fairytale – a version of which appears in the folklore of many cultures. Instead, the Choreographer-Director of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo has followed the thought process of Prokofiev himself, whose vision of Cinderella was not simply a character in a fairy tale, but also “a living being, who feels and lives, and whose fate moves us”. So Maillot’s Cinderella is guided by the memory of her mother – who reappears to her in the form of a fairy godmother – in her search for love and a place in the world, while Maillot takes a humorous stab at the pretentious society by which she’s surrounded.
His highly creative – and often flamboyant – style of choreography is complemented by Jérôme Kaplan’s imaginative and fascinating costumes, with scenography by Ernest Pignon-Ernest and lighting by Dominique Drillot.
Cinderella premiered on April 3rd 1999 at the Salle Garnier in Monte-Carlo, as part of the Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo 1999, and with the participation of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by David Garforth. The performances in New York are presented under the Presidency of H R H the Princess of Hanover, in association with New York City Center and Ardani Artists.
Performances take place on February 18th, 19th and 20th, and tickets may be reserved via the link to New York City Center below.
Alice Blangero’s photographic exhibition, Inside Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, is on display in the United States for the first time, at the New York headquarters of Christie’s. These twenty limited edition prints, signed by the artist, take a behind-the-scenes look at the work of the Company, admirably demonstrating Ms Blangero’s particular gift for capturing reality shots of the dancers – waiting in the wings, backstage during a performance, or taking part in daily rehearsals. The exhibition runs until February 21st.
Flavors of Monaco is described as a “farm-to-table” culinary week, hosted by Paolo Sari, Executive Chef of the Monte-Carlo Beach’s Elsa – the world’s only 100% organic Michelin-starred restaurant. This presentation takes place at New York’s Circo and Le Cirque restaurants, and runs until February 20th.
For more information on all these events, visit www.monaco-nyc.com
Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra
Monaco Government Tourist Office