SMU Page Series hosts Moscow Festival Ballet

WINONA, Minn. — The Moscow Festival Ballet will present “Giselle” — a story of love, betrayal, madness, revenge and forgiveness — at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theatre.

The Moscow Festival Ballet, under the direction of former Bolshoi principal dancer Sergei Radchenko, has amassed a loyal following across the United States for its technically precise and respectful interpretations of grand ballet in the admired Russian tradition.

“Giselle” is the story of a pure and innocent peasant girl who is jilted by a rich nobleman. Driven insane by the ending of their relationship, she dies and enters the graveyard world of ghosts of vengeful brides betrayed by undeserving suitors. The role of Giselle is one of the most sought-after in all of ballet, as it requires technical perfection, dazzling grace, lyricism and great dramatic skill.

The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when Radchenko sought to bring together the highest classical elements of the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies in an independent new company within the framework of Russian classic ballet.

Tickets are $27 for adults, $25 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Make it dinner and a show! Pre-show dinners, provided by Chartwells Catering, will be available, beginning at 6 p.m. in the President's Room of the Toner Student Center. Orders will be accepted up to one week prior to each event. Reservations can be made online or through the box office. Adult dinners are $22 and include chicken, beef and vegetarian options. Children's dinners are $14.