A ballet featuring soloists from the Bolshoi and other leading Russian theatres, as well as the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, children from a Maltese choir and a ballet school is taking place tomorrow in Valletta.

The Crystal Palace, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Russian-Maltese diplomatic relations, is inspired by a bizarre but true story involving Russian empress Anna Ioannovna, who had ordered a couple to marry and imposed a grim condition: that they must spend their wedding night in the harsh Russian winter of 1740, in a specially-erected palace built of ice.

The ballet will be directed by Ekaterina Mironova, guest ballet master of the Bolshoi, and choreographed by Alexander Somov, himself a former soloist with the legendary ballet company. The music was written by contemporary Maltese composer Alexey Shor.

The soloists taking part include stellar ballet duo – and husband and wife – Ivan Vasiliev and Maria Vinogradova, as well as Bolshoi prima ballerina Maria Allash and soprano Anna Aglatova.

The performance has been made possible through the efforts of the European Foundation for Support of Culture (EUFSC) president Konstantin Ishkhanov.

Crystal Palace is being held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre tomorrow at 8pm. Tickets may be obtained online at showshappening.com.

For more information, call on 2787 7704 or2559 5750, send an e-mail to concert @eufsc.eu or visit the website www.mcc.com.mt.

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