On 14 October, 2014 planetary eco-ballet “Flight Over the Legend” by “Imperial Russian Ballet”, headed by Honored Artist of Russia Gediminas Taranda, premiered in Moscow theater “New Opera”. The event was supported by Moscow Department of Culture, the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal, the Foundation “Back to basics”, plenipotentiary representative of the Republic of Buryatia to President of Russia and the Society of the Buryat culture “Uryaal”.
Seven years ago, on 10 September, 2007, two Russian travelers – Valentin Efremov and Vladimir Issaychev – conducted a flight over Lake Baikal by a heat air balloon “Holy Russia” and set the achievement pointed in the Guinness Book of Records, flown 100 kilometers for about six hours. This event has become the basis for the ballet libretto, written by a prominent statesman and public figure, well-known lawyer and poet Vladimir Issaychev.
Prior the performance in the lobby of the theater audiences got acquainted with the Baikal region’s musical culture. Folk singer Anna Sizova from Irkutsk and winners of international competitions Maria Baldanova and Sayan Tsympilov performed in traditional costumes and with national vocal repertoire.
Welcome speech to the audience prior the ballet was made by deputy of the State Duma of Russia, Chairman of the FPLB Board of Trustees Mikhail Slipenchuk, head of the Foundation “Back to basics” Vladimir Issaychev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Buryatia Anatoly Lekhatinov, President of the Society of the Buryat culture “Uryaal” Bator Dugarov.
“These unique events sooner or later find their reflection in art. And today’s show – is the first step. I am sure that premiere of the ballet, dedicated to Lake Baikal and its researchers, will see good fortune at various theater of the country. And the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal, the Board of Trustees of which I chair, will provide a full support,” – said in his speech Mikhail Slipenchuk.
In foyer of the theater the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal presented a photo exhibition about nature of the Baikal region, as well as the activity of its international scientific expeditions: “Mirs at Lake Baikal” (2008-2010) and “Trans-Eurasian flight: Leman-Baikal” (2013-2014).
Photo exhibition of the FPLB about Lake Baikal in the theatre's foye
Photo exhibition of the FPLB about the expedition "Mirs at Lake Baikal"
Performance of folk singer Anna Sizova
Performance of Buryat singer Maria Baldanova
Chairman of the Society of the Buryat culture "Uryaa" Bator Dugarov
Welcome speech of Deputy of the State Duma of Russia, Chairman of the FPLB Board of Trustees Mikhail Slipenchuk
Traveler Valentin Efremov, author of the libretto Vladimir Issaychev, choreographer Mai Ester Murdmaa, artistic director of the troupe Gediminas Taranda
