Mid-Atlantic
– Russia Business Council Extends Invitation to Upcoming Russian-American
Cultural Events Including the World Premier of the "Antigone" Dance-Theatre
Production and "The Princess and the Patriot" Exhibit
The Mid-Atlantic –
Russia Business Council (MARBC) would like to extend an invitation to two very
special upcoming Russian-American cultural events taking place in Philadelphia.
The first is the world premier of the "Antigone" dance-theatre production on
March 16 and 17 at 7:30 pm at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. The idea for
"Antigone" began while choreographer Rebecca Davis was studying in St. Petersburg,
Russia with a Fulbright program grant. There, Davis led a cooperative effort
between Russians, Americans and Canadians that resulted in this unique and
interesting dance-theatre production. The production will star Russian soloist
dancers from the Mussorgsky Ballet of Russia and will feature original music by
Timofey Buzina, the General Manager of Saint Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic
Orchestra. The production was inspired by the Greek tragedy of the same name
written by Sophocles but is not strictly based on the original text. It uses
movement and excerpts from the Sophocles play to convey the story of Antigone,
a woman who is punished by King Creon for giving a proper burial to her dead
brother against the king's explicit orders. The goal of the performance,
explains Davis, is to "to convey the emotional journey of an individual as she
accepts a punishment for an action that she believes was morally right and
noble."
The Mid-Atlantic –
Russia Business Council is organizing a special opportunity to meet members of
the cast of "Antigone" from Russia and other countries at 9 pm at the Kimmel
Center after the performance being given on March 17.
MARBC would like to encourage
community members to attend another exceptional Russian-American cultural event
being held next month. On April 7, there will be a viewing of "The Princess
and the Patriot" exhibit and a Russian musical performance at the Museum of the
American Philosophical Society as part of the celebration of the 300th
anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin, the first American member of the
Russian Academy of Sciences. The exhibit presents Franklin's life in a novel
way, emphasizing his role as an Enlightenment thinker and placing him alongside
Ekaterina Dashkova, an important figure in 18th century Russia.
Though each came from very different backgrounds, both were profoundly
influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment that had been developed in Western
Europe. Franklin made his mark as a scientist, a printer and a politician,
playing an important role in the development of American democracy. Dashkova
was also active in politics, helping her friend Catherine the Great take the
Russian throne in a coup d'état. In addition, she pursued intellectual
endeavors and was appointed the director of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Franklin and Dashkova met face to face only once – in 1781 in Paris
– but each developed a strong respect for the intellect and achievements
of the other. Franklin eventually nominated Dashkova to join the American
Philosophical Society, making her the first female and the first Russian member
of the group and Dashkova nominated Franklin to join the Russian Academy of
Sciences, making him its first American member. The musical performance being
held will complement the exhibit, featuring music from the era of Franklin and
Dashkova. The group "Talisman" will be performing pieces by female Russian
composers who were at the court of Catherine the Great. This event, which
highlights the long history of Russian-American cooperation, is being included
in the program for the Russian-American Innovation Technology Week being
organized MARBC.
For additional information on
the world premier of "Antigone", please visit:
www.rebeccadavisdance.com/premiere.html. To purchase tickets, please
visit: www.kimmelcenter.org or call: (215) 893-1999.
The Museum of the American
Philosophical Society is located at 104 South Fifth Street in Philadelphia.
For further information about the exhibit, please visit: www.amphilsoc.org/exhibitions.
For further information about
the opportunity to meet the members of the cast of "Antigone", the viewing of
"The Princess and the Patriot" exhibit and the musical performance at the
Museum of the American Philosophical Society and the Russian-American
Innovation Technology Week, please contact Val Kogan,
Mid-Atlantic-Russia Business Council, by phone: (215) 708-2628, or email:
val@ma-rbc.org, or visit the MARBC website at: http://www.ma-rbc.org
