ROMANOV VARIATIONS: ART, PASSION and POLITICS

Romanov Variations is an exceptional pre-Christmas evening with special comissions and classical favourites. Experience live dance and music performances by the leading international artists: Anna von der Pahlen, dancer and choreographer, Aigul Akhmetshina, Royal Opera mezzo soprano, Mariana Haseldine, international concert pianist, Andrew Byron, award-winning actor and director, as well as rising stars of the world-famous Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music.

А Christmas benefit and auction will be held in aid of Igor Stravinsky's Museum, the Stravinsky Music School in Ustilug and the groundbreakingly successful R.A.C.A.C.U. Projects 4 Children, enabling even more young people to learn and create.

This is a special opportunity to hear about the highly anticipated Buckingham Palace exhibition ‘Russia, Royalty and the Romanovs’, which is due to start in The Queen's Gallery in November from its Royal curator, our guest of honour Caroline de Guitaut.

The Romanov Variations will transport you away to that legendary era of artistic creativity at the Imperial Court in St. Petersburg.

The Tsars of Russia ruled like gods, with their absolute power over one of the greatest empires in the world. But they also held power over another world - the world of the performing arts. From the reigns of Peter the Great to Tsar Nicholas II, some of the greatest masterpieces of the arts were created on commission by the Romanovs.

In an exciting evening with a live performance of music, theatre and dance and a special presentation from our guest of honour Caroline de Guitaut, curator of the Royal Collection Trust, Romanov Variations explores some of the signature works that owe their existence to Royal patronage and the intimate relationship that binds Russian Royal history with British Royal history.

About the team

Mariana Haseldine

is an award-winning concert pianist, international curator and producer. In 2014, Mariana brought Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov's Montagnana cello to London as part of the UK-Russia Year of Culture: https://www.spearswms.com/boris-andrianov-performs-on-romanov-cello/

This event will reflect her extensive musical knowledge and experience. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119430928862483271

Anna von der Pahlen is a rising star of the dance world, and will choreograph a new work drawing on the Russian influences in Coco Chanel's life, who became a close confidante of Serge Diaghilev and had a passionate love affair with Grand Duke Dmitri Romanov, the cousin of Tsar Nicholas II.

Aigul Akhmetshina,

Royal Opera mezzo soprano, winner of the Grand Prix at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition http://www.roh.org.uk/people/aigul-akhmetshina

Andrew Byron

is a bilingual Russian/English actor well known as numerous Russian screen characters in such TV series as ‘Killing Eve’ and ‘Spooks’ and as the lead in ‘Anastasia’ at Pushkin House.

With special gratitude to Chêne Bleu Rhone Wines, award-winning, luxury, couture wines from the boutique wine estate of Nicole and Xavier Rolet of the SCEA Domaine de la Verriere Provence, France.

DATE AND TIME

Thu 29 November 2018

19:00 – 22:30 GMT

LOCATION

GROSVENOR CHAPEL & GEORGE MEMBERS' CLUB

24 South Audley Street

Mayfair

London

W1K 2PA