Johnson County Community College
Press Release
College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122
1/02/08
Story by Peggy Graham
Leather Boots and Sabers Shine in Moiseyev
When the Moiseyev Dance Company first came from the Soviet Union in 1958 to New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, the audience responded with a 25-minute ovation at the final curtain. Russian history has changed. Thankfully, the Moiseyev has not.
The Moiseyev Dance Company, one of the most distinguished folkloric ballet companies in the world, has turned folk dancing into high art and entertained audiences with Russian flair since its founding 70 years ago. The Moiseyev Dance Company will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, in Yardley Hall of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College, in a tour marking the 50th Anniversary of the ensemble’s North American debut.
The program is dedicated to the company’s legendary artistic director, choreographer and founder, Igor Moiseyev, who died at age 101 on Nov. 2, 2007. According to a New York Times article reporting his death, Moiseyev created a new form of theatrical folk dance in Russia and one of the most popular dance companies of the 20th century.
Trained in classical ballet, Moiseyev was the ballet master and former principal dancer and choreographer of the Bolshoi Ballet in 1936, when the Soviet government asked him to organize the first Festival of National Dance. As a student, Moiseyev traveled the country on foot studying the songs, dances and customs of the more than 180 national cultures then comprising the Soviet Union.
In 1937, Moiseyev organized a professional dance company that could present the body of more than 3,000 national dances. Within a few years, Moiseyev had created a 100-member ensemble dedicated to regional dances. They performed throughout the Soviet Union, constantly adding dances from regions including Georgia, the Caucausus, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, the Gobi desert and Siberia.
With the easing of the Cold War in 1955, the Moiseyev Dance Company began to tour the world and eventually created a United Nations of folk dances from Spain, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, and American jazz and rock-and-roll. Moiseyev’s 100th birthday was celebrated in the Kremlin Palace in 2006.
Part of the Carlsen Center program is dedicated to Russian dances and cultures ranging from Ukrainian Gopak to Volga River’s Kalmuk Dance to the more recent addition – Jewish Suite. International fare may be an Argentinean gaucho, Finnish polka or American Turkey in the Straw. Dance steps are as old as the 15th century, as new as the jitter bug.
In addition to its anthropology lessons, a Moiseyev performance is fun, whether it’s Russian sailors engaged in bravado or flirty young Mexicans at a Sunday promenade. As many as 50 dancers may be on stage at one time creating colorful scenes with high energy.
The troupe is known for its athletic high kicks and breathtaking jumps, bold costumes and precise timing. What distinguishes Moiseyev from other troupes with Russian heritage are theatrical staging and traditional ballet choreography. Moiseyev Dance Company is honored as Russian’s official “State Academic Ensemble of Popular Dances.” Watching this exotic folk troupe is like experiencing a world tour in 2 1/2 hours.
Tickets for the Moiseyev Dance Company are $35 and $45, available by calling the Carlsen Center box office, 913-469-4445.
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