The festival “Russian Gastronomic Seasons” took place in Monte Carlo. “Russian Seasons” by Sergei Diaghilev “Russian Seasons” by Sergei Diaghilev

Marie Claire this year became the general media partner of Les Saisons De La Gastronomie.

The gastronomic season of love was opened by the famous Cafe de Paris with a special menu based on aphrodisiacs from the chefs of Cafe de Paris Monte Carlo and Andrey Rostov from the Novikov Ritz Carlton Moscow restaurant.

The central event of the festival was a gala evening on the terrace of the Bellevue Cafe de Paris salon. The event was permeated with the theme of love and its search. The romantic atmosphere was created by the group Dig It and pianist Tatyana Mermann.

The path to “love” began for the guests with a “Happy Dimonds” cocktail at the Chopard jewelry house. It continued with “Invitation to a Journey” - an exhibition of Italian photographer Nicola Savoretti at the Bellevue Cafe de Paris. The photographs were selected from hundreds of works by the author from his book of the same name, published by one of the oldest publishing houses in the world - Alinari in Florence.

“The Road to Love” led guests to a luxurious terrace overlooking Casino Square and the azure Mediterranean Sea, where the “Love on Your Plate” dinner awaited them.

The aphrodisiac-based menu consisted of four main courses and several types of desserts: delicate mini-tartar of sea bream with green lemon and ginger, juicy colored tomatoes with crab, sautéed eggplants with tomatoes and basil, cod fillet with steamed potatoes, fried fennel and capsicum peas, and finally - strawberry cake, sweets and homemade Italian ice cream Gelatorino from Turin.

“This time the evening turned out to be especially sincere. Apparently, the theme of love added charm, interesting, piquant conversations, and gastronomy - as a big factor uniting different people and different cultures - made the evening tasty and fulfilling,” said festival founder Natalya Marzoeva.

The festival program, which took place from August 27 to 29, was based on a “four-handed menu” - a sign of the collaboration between Russian chefs and virtuosos of the Monegasque gastronomic scene.

The seasons continue the historical tradition of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when weeks of haute cuisine were held in Russia and France, uniting culinary schools of the two countries. Among the guests of the festival were Anton Chekhov and Ivan Turgenev.
Having been revived after a hundred years, the Festival not only continues the traditions of haute cuisine, but also sets new standards for modern gastronomy as an art and represents today's Russia through symbiosis various types art.

Which domestic artists have become international stars thanks to “Russian Seasons”.

Hereditary nobleman Sergei Diaghilev graduated from the Faculty of Law, but connected his life with art and in a few years made the whole world learn what Russian ballet, opera and painting were, and his “Russian Seasons” “blowed up” the whole of Paris.

The first tours of domestic musicians, which he organized abroad, brought a loss, but this only provoked Diaghilev - the next year he bet on ballet - and he was right.

The impresario always attracted only the best of the best to his work: the music for his ballets was written by Igor Stravinsky, the choreography was staged by Mikhail Fokine, Fyodor Chaliapin sang in his performances, Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky danced, and the scenery was designed by Natalia Goncharova and Pablo Picasso - Diaghilev threw sketches of the latter on the floor and trampled on him if they did not suit him.

AiF.ru talks about some Russian artists who became world famous thanks to a brilliant entrepreneur.

Anna Pavlova

IN Russian Empire ballerina Anna Pavlova was a real star even before she met Diaghilev, but her participation in his “Russian Seasons” in 1909 brought her world fame - after which the dancer toured the whole world.

By the way, the emblem of Diaghilev’s “Seasons” was a poster by Valentin Serov with a silhouette of a dancing Pavlova.

Alexander Benois

Sergei Diaghilev knew the outstanding artist even before he organized the first event abroad: together they founded artistic association“World of Art” and published a magazine of the same name in their homeland.

Their collaboration continued abroad: Benoit’s works were exhibited at exhibitions of Russian painters, which Diaghilev organized in Paris, Venice, Berlin and Monte Carlo. The artist also designed the performances of the Russian Seasons and amazed the French with his scenery and costumes.

Fyodor Chaliapin

Before participating in the Russian Seasons, the legendary singer had already been abroad - he performed at the La Scala theater in Milan in 1901 and was a triumph. But after Chaliapin sang in Diaghilev’s first concert in Paris, the whole world started talking about the artist, and a year later the opera performance “Boris Godunov,” in which the bass sang the title role, further strengthened his success (the opera was also shown during “ Russian seasons").

At the same time, Chaliapin's tour began in New York, Berlin, and Buenos Aires.

Igor Stravinsky

Diaghilev “found” the talented composer at the premiere of his suite “The Faun and the Shepherdess” and after some time offered him cooperation.

The union of the musician and the entrepreneur lasted several years - during this time Stravinsky wrote 3 ballets for the Russian Seasons, which made him famous throughout the world: The Firebird, Petrushka and The Rite of Spring.

Leon Bakst

Russian artist Lev Rosenberg (aka Leon Bakst), who revolutionized stage design with his “fairy-tale” and luxurious sets and costumes, became the leading designer of the Russian Seasons: he worked with such ballets as Cleopatra, Scheherazade, Carnival", "Narcissus" and "Daphnis and Chloe".

But wide fame came to the artist even earlier: when he joined Diaghilev’s “World of Art”, his works began to “travel” to foreign exhibitions organized by the famous entrepreneur, and were published in the “World of Art” magazine.

Mikhail Fokin

The young choreographer was introduced to Diaghilev by his friend Alexandre Benois. Having assessed the dancer’s potential, the entrepreneur invited him to go to Paris and work on productions of the Russian Ballet.

He agreed and showed the French performances that he had already “tested” with the St. Petersburg public: the success was stunning.

All the ballet dancers involved in Fokine’s productions became international stars (Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Tamara Karsavina), and the “inspired” choreographer began new performances.

Vaslav Nijinsky

The Russian dancer of Polish origin also made a high-profile career, thanks to Sergei Diaghilev: at first he was one of the leading artists in the ballet troupe, and then the entrepreneur began to “promote” Nijinsky to the position of choreographer - he wanted to replace Fokine with him.

After the marriage of the newly minted choreographer, his collaboration with Diaghilev ceased; he tried to continue his career as a director, but he could never repeat such success as in “Russian Seasons”.

“Russian Seasons” - tour performances of Russian ballet and opera artists (1908-29), organized by a famous cultural figure and entrepreneur abroad (since 1908 in Paris, since 1912 in London, since 1915 in other countries). The main activity of the enterprise was ballet. Operas were staged rarely and mostly before 1914.

The “Russian Seasons” began in 1906, when Diaghilev brought an exhibition of Russian artists to Paris. In 1907, a series of concerts of Russian music (“Historical Russian Concerts”) took place at the Grand Opera. Actually, the “Russian Seasons” began in 1908 in Paris, when the opera “Boris Godunov” was performed here (director Sanin, conductor Blumenfeld; set design by A. Golovin, A. Benois, K. Yuon, E. Lanceray; costumes by I. Bilibin; soloists Chaliapin, Kastorsky, Smirnov, Ermolenko-Yuzhina, etc.).

In 1909, the Parisians were presented with Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Woman of Pskov,” which was performed under the title “Ivan the Terrible” (among the soloists were Chaliapin, Lipkovskaya, and Kastorsky). In 1913, Khovanshchina was staged (directed by Sanin, conducted by Cooper, Chaliapin performed the role of Dosifei). In 1914, the world premiere of Stravinsky's opera The Nightingale (director Sanin, conductor Monteux) took place at the Grand Opera. In 1922, Stravinsky’s “The Mavra” was staged there.

In 1924, three operas by Gounod (The Dove, The Reluctant Doctor, Philemon and Baucis) were staged at the theater in Monte Carlo. Let us also note the world premiere (concert performance) of Stravinsky’s opera-oratorio “Oedipus Rex” (1927, Paris).

“Russian Seasons” played a huge role in the promotion of Russian art abroad and in the development of the world artistic process in the 20th century.

E. Tsodokov

“Russian Seasons” abroad, opera and ballet performances organized by S. P. Diaghilev. They were supported by circles of the Russian artistic intelligentsia (“World of Art”, Belyaevsky musical circle, etc.). The “Russian Seasons” began in Paris in 1907 with historical concerts with the participation of N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, S. V. Rachmaninov, A. K. Glazunov, F. I. Chaliapin. In 1908-09 the operas “Boris Godunov” by Mussorgsky, “The Woman of Pskov” by Rimsky-Korsakov, “Prince Igor” by Borodin and others were performed.

In 1909, for the first time, along with opera performances, ballets by M. M. Fokin (previously staged by him in St. Petersburg) were shown: “Pavilion of Armida” (art. A. N. Benois), “Polovtsian Dances” (art. N. K. Roerich ); “La Sylphides” (“Chopiniana”) to the music of Chopin, “Cleopatra” (“Egyptian Nights”) by Arensky (artist L. S. Bakst) and the divertimento “Feast” to the music of Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Mussorgsky.

The ballet troupe consisted of artists from the St. Petersburg Mariinsky and Moscow Bolshoi theaters. Soloists - A. P. Pavlova, V. F. Nijinsky, T. P. Karsavina, E. V. Geltser, S. F. Fedorova, M. M. Mordkin, V. A. Karalli, M. P. Froman and etc. Choreographer - Fokine.

Since 1910, “Russian Seasons” took place without the participation of opera. In the 2nd season (Paris, Berlin, Brussels) new productions by Fokine were shown - “Carnival” (artist Bakst), “Scheherazade” to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov (same artist, curtain based on sketches by V. A. Serov), “ The Firebird" (artists A. Ya. Golovin and Bakst), as well as "Giselle" (edited by M. I. Petipa, artist Benois) and "Orientalia" (choreographic miniatures, including fragments from "Cleopatra", "Polovtsian Dances" ", numbers to the music of Arensky, Glazunov and others, "Siamese Dance" to the music of Sinding and "Kobold" to the music of Grieg, staged by Fokin for Nijinsky).

In 1911, Diaghilev decided to create a permanent troupe, which was finally formed by 1913 and received the name "".

A fabulous anniversary of global significance: today in Bolshoi Theater for the 500th time they dance “The Nutcracker” staged by Yuri Grigorovich.

In Russia and Europe, The Nutcracker is the main holiday ballet at Christmas and New Year. From classic to avant-garde - the author's experiments with style. One of the most striking is the performance, which premiered in Monte Carlo.

You only see this in a dream. A large-scale extravaganza on the stage of a toy theater. In a whirlpool of whimsical dances - animated dolls and young Marie, passionately dreaming of becoming a ballerina. With every new dress - a new role. Marie tries on the parts of the best classical ballets created by the Monte Carlo troupe. A whole garland of images: Cinderella, princess, Sleeping beauty.

“Through the dreams of this girl, our choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot tells his story and the story of our ballet troupe. He talks about the most important thing that happened during the entire 20 years of its existence: from tedious classes in classes at the barre to the brilliance of the ballets he brought to life on stage.” , says prima ballerina of the Monte Carlo Ballet Bernice Coppieters.

Choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot brings the action of "The Nutcracker" to the circus. And all the characters are involved in a bright holiday show with complex acrobatic performances.

"For me, the circus is an ideal theater in which you can experience the whole spectrum of emotions. There is danger in it, and virtuoso technique, and the ease with which all this is done. All the feelings are very bright and real. And for me there is some kind of mystery and the feeling of childhood,” said choreographer and director of the Monte Carlo Ballet Jean-Christophe Maillot.

Only Tchaikovsky's music and a few characters remind us of classical ballet. The Nutcracker, Marie, whom he teaches to dance, and the good fairy who makes their dream come true. An eccentric Nutcracker without a camisole and a wig. This hero is not like everyone else. He amazes bored ballerinas with his sparkling unusual dance.

“For me, there is a special philosophy in the image of the Nutcracker. He fights with himself, with his own imperfections and ultimately turns into a beautiful creature,” says Monte Carlo Ballet soloist Jeroen Verbruggen.

Choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot gives this magical ballet to Princess Caroline of Monaco on New Year's Day. To look at the royal gift, connoisseurs of ballet art from all over the world come to sparkling New Year's Monaco.

“It was Princess Caroline who invited me to head the Monte Carlo Ballet 20 years ago. She fulfilled my dream of assembling an international troupe of brilliant dancers. So the good fairy, who in the story gives the world of dance to little Marie, is also my fairy,” says the choreographer, director of the Monte Carlo Ballet troupe Jean-Christophe Maillot.

Carolina decided to create a ballet troupe in memory of her mother, the tragically deceased Hollywood film star Grace Kelly. She dreamed of glorifying the Monaco ballet and reviving the traditions of Diaghilev’s Russian Seasons. One of the ballet halls here still bears his name. And in the Garnier Theater, built for him by the Prince of Monaco, performances are staged, restored by Jean-Christophe Maillot. Therefore, he has the right to consider himself the heir to the traditions of Russian ballet.

"My main source inspiration is people with their feelings and experiences. So this is more of a fairy tale for adults. It talks about the decisive moments of our lives, when we have to make a choice on which our entire fate depends. At such moments, it is especially important to believe that any dream can be realized,” says choreographer and director of the Monte-Carlo Ballet Jean-Christophe Maillot.

As morning approaches, the fabulous theater dissolves. And even though the magical adventure turned out to be just a dream, everyone has a feeling of miracle for a long time.

If there is a place where “Russian Gastronomic Seasons” should continue its story, it is Monaco and the Cote d'Azur. Indeed, in every town of the French Riviera one can feel the influence of Russian culture. It should not be forgotten that in Monaco itself, Diaghilev made a significant contribution to the creation of the Monte Carlo Ballet at the beginning of the 20th century, and gastronomic exchanges between the two countries introduced the public to the best local dishes.

In 2018, the Winter Gastronomic Seasons festival will once again present the richness of Russian culture in all its forms. The event will take place from January 30 to February 4 at the Café de Paris.

Now in its eighth year, the festival, which has already brought together the best French and Russian chefs in Paris, Cannes and Moscow, will be an opportunity for guests to discover exceptional menus.The new winter season will include many performances, including:

• From January 30 to February 4, there will be a gala dinner every evening atCafe de Pariswith the participation of soloists of the Moscow Musical Drama Gypsy Theater "Romen" Matryona Yankovskaya and Peter Yurchenko, the gypsy dance group Romano Atmo and chefs from Russia (Andrey Kolodyazhny) and Monaco (Patrick Lafon). Starts at 19.30.
  

• On February 1, after the end of Anna Netrebko's concert, a gala dinner will take place at the Casino of Monte Carlo. Starts at 22.00. A 4-hand dinner on the OPERA theme will be presented by Marcel Raven from Blue Bay and Russian chef from Sochi Andrey Kolodyazhny (restaurants"Baran-Rapan" and "Moskvich").

“This festival is a unique opportunity to discover the sophistication of modern cuisine, thanks to a new meeting of French and Russian chefs. This is a real gastronomic journey in which the originality, traditions and tastes of our two cultures meet,” said Natalya Marzoeva, president of the Gastronomic Seasons festival.

About chef Andrey Kolodyazhny

Andrey Kolodyazhny's cuisine is based on gastrobotany - the latest European trend in haute cuisine - which he calls in the Russian manner "cuisine of flowers and herbs." It manifests itself in every detail: from the palette of tastes to the exquisite design and original presentation.

“My ambitious goal is to bring back into the kitchen those plants that have been undeservedly forgotten as gastrocultures. For example, today few people use reed root or horsetail for food, but it is very tasty and healthy. High-quality, natural, fresh local organic products, prepared with soul and love - this is the basis of my cuisine,” says Andrey.

In the kitchen of the Baran-Rapan restaurant, only local products are used: fresh lamb and seafood, herbs (burdock, chickweed, mountain cilantro) and edible flowers (coltsfoot, ram flowers, savory flowers, primroses); innovative approach and tradition are masterfully combined.

In each dish of the tour set menu, Andrei will reveal the “cuisine of flowers and herbs” and “dream cuisine on a plate,” which he embodies in his work every day.