The Studio Blog
Dan Talmi’s Travelogue to Russia May 2011 — Rabbit Pie, Lions and George Balanchine
Dan Talmi’s Travelogue to Russia May 2011 – Rabbit Pie, Lions and George Balanchine
Travelogue, May 20, Day 1, continued
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Dinner at last! This rabbit and mushroom quiche was delicious…maybe my favorite dish on the whole trip. |
 Rabbit and Mushroom Pie |
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View from my room at the Istoriya Hotel overlooks a stunning pair of lions holding up the bridge over the Griboyedov Canal. |
 Powerful lions hold up the bridge outside my room |
Travelogue, May 21, Day 2 |
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Start the day at the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory. It was founded in 1862 by composer Anton Rubinstein sitting behind me. Graduates include names we all know like Pytor Tchaikovsky, Sergey Prokofiev, George Balanchine and many others. In 2012 the conservatory will celebrate its 150th anniversary. |
 At the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory |
Dan Talmi’s Travelogue to Russia May 2011 – Day 1 the Vaganova Academy
Dan Talmi’s Travelogue to Russia May 2011 – Day 1 the Vaganova Academy
Approaching the world famous
Vaganova Academy
Travelogue, May 20, Day 1
Vaganova ~ I arrive in Moscow and visit the Vaganova Ballet Academy straight away meeting with a school director. The Vaganova has graduated a galaxy of renowned dancers: Anna Pavlova, Vatslav Nijinsky, George Balanchine, Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova, Oleg Vinogradov, and Yuri Grigorovich, to name just a few. The director told me that each year 5000 9 year olds apply, 75 are accepted and just 25 graduate!
Empress Anna ~ In the lobby of Russia’s Vaganova school I see this fabulous painting of Empress Anna of Russia who founded the school in 1738 (then named Imperial Ballet School). It was the country’s first educational establishment to also provide professional ballet training and is nearing its 275th anniversary. Thank you Anna!
Empress Anna,
founder of the Vaganova Academy,
in the main lobby
Tomorrow ~ I judge an art exhibition, visit Russia’s preeminant and oldest music conservatory and more.
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