INTRODUCTION
Step into a world where the elegance of classical ballet intertwines with design, creativity and artistry. In the first part, «Renaissance» sweeps audiences into a captivating narrative, merging the timeless allure of classical dance with the cuttingedge designs of Balmain. The second part of the evening continues with a curated selection of beloved masterpieces and all-time classics. This evening promises an unforgettable exploration of ballet's rich tapestry, blending tradition with a hint of modern flair.
This project is proudly presented by Julian MacKay and MacKay Productions in collaboration with AMC Artists Management Company.
Julian Mackay
Julian MacKay was born in Livingston, Montana, into a classical ballet family. He trained on scholarship by the age of 9 in New York City at the American Ballet Theatre and also during the summers at The Royal Ballet School London and Academy Princess Grace in Monaco. At the age of 11 he left rural Montana to train at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia.
Upon graduating he became the first American to receive a full Russian Diploma, having completed both the upper and lower school. While in the Academy he medaled in five consecutive international ballet competitions, including the Prix de Lausanne and Gold medals at the Istanbul IBC and YAGP along with his history making Bronze at Sochi Young Ballet of the World and the Beijing International Ballet Competition.
While still in school, at age 17, he made his professional debut as Siegfried in Swan Lake with the Russian State Ballet in Berlin. Graduating top of his class he was hailed as a young «Apollo» by Russian dance critics, dancing numerous roles on the Bolshoi stage. At 17 Julian joined The Royal Ballet in London, as their youngest member and 2016 Prix de Lausanne prize winner. Eight months later, upon personal invitation from Mikhail Messerer, he joined The Mikhailovsky Theatre, St. Petersburg as a Second Soloist. By 19 years old, MacKay was promoted to First Soloist.
At the height of his time at the Mikhailovsky Theatre he became an international guest artist, now invited to perform around the world. From 2020 to 2022 he was Principal with the San Francisco Ballet under the direction of Helgi Thomasson.
Julian is fluent in Russian and has his Bachelors Degree as a Ballet Master and Choreographer from the prestigious GITIS University (Russian Institute of Theatre Arts), in Moscow, Russia. Since the 2022 -2023 season he dances as Principal with the Bayerisches Staatsballett.
In 2019 , Julian co-founded MacKay Productions with his brother Nicholas, with a mission to facilitate, create, and develop groundbreaking experiences that present dance in innovative ways. Julian became the first ballet dancer in history to become «Friend of the Maison» at Cartier.
Liudmila Konovalova
The Russian-born Liudmila Konovalova graduated from Moscow Bolshoi Ballet Academy and joined the Russian State Ballet in 2002. In 2004 she was appointed first soloist and danced the leading roles in »Giselle«, »Don Quixote«, »Swan Lake« and »The Nutcracker«. In 2007 she joined the Staatsballett Berlin and was appointed soloist in 2009. In Berlin she performed, amongst others, important roles in Vladimir Malakhov’s »The Sleeping Beauty«, Patrice Bart’s »Swan Lake« and »The Nutcracker«, Michel Fokine›s »Scheherezade«, Pierre Lacotte’s »La Vivandière« and Clark Tippet’s »Violin Concerto«. In 2010 she joined the Vienna State Ballet as a soloist, in 2011 she was promoted to first soloist.
Her Viennese repertoire comprises numerous main roles of the classical repertoire in Rudolf Nureyev’s »Swan Lake«, »The Nutcracker«, »Don Quixote« and »Raymonda, Elena Tchernichova’s »Giselle«, Peter Wright’s »The Sleeping Beauty«, Manuel Legris› »Le Corsaire«, Frederick Ashton’s »La Fille mal gardée« and »Marguerite and Armand«, Titania in Jorma Elo’s » A Midsummer Night›s Dream«, Manon Lescaut in John Neumeierʼs »Lady of the Camellias« and works by George Balanchine –such as »Theme and Variations«, »Diamonds«-Pas de deux in »Jewels« and »Duo Concertant« –, Kenneth MacMillan, Serge Lifar, Harald Lander, Jerome Robbins, Hans van Manen – »Adagio Hammerklavier«, »Trois Gnossiennes«, »Four Schumann Pieces« and »Concertante« –, John Neumeier, Twyla Tharp, Nils Christe, William Forsythe, Rudi van Dantzig, Jorma Elo, David Dawson, Jiří Bubenícek, Christopher Wheeldon, Alexei Ratmansky, Heinz Spoerli and Martin Schläpfer.
Guest performances have taken her to many European Countries and overseas. She was dancing as a guest soloist, among others, at the Ballet de l›Opera National de Bordeaux, the Slovenské národné divadlo, the Teatro dell´ Opera di Roma, the Tokyo Ballet, at Nureyev Festivals in Ufa and Kazan, in 2015 at the World Ballet Festival in Tokyo and the Kreml Palast Moscow. In March 2016 she had the honour to take part in the Ave Maya Gala in memory of Maya Plisetskaya in the London Coliseum.
Liudmila Konovalova›s awards include the Special Prize from the Serge Lifar Ballet Competition in Kiev (2006), 2nd Prize in the International Ballet Competition KIBC in Seoul, 1st Prize in the ÖTR-Contest in Vienna as well as in the Ballet Competition »Premio Roma« in 2007 and the Premio Capri Danza International (2018). In June 2019 Liudmila Konovalova was honoured by the Russian Embassy in Vienna for her merits of the cultural relation between Russia and Austria.
Sebastien Bertaud:
After several creations for the Paris Opera’s “Young choreographers” evenings, Sebastien is selected to participate as one of the four chosen choreographers in the Paris Opera choreographic Academy, a two years residency for choreographers founded by Benjamin Millepied, under the artistic direction of William Forsythe. This is where Sebastien initiated collaboration with artists like videast Ange Leccia, and artists from the field of fashion like Laetitia Casta, Haider Ackermann and Yiquing Yin…
Just after, William Forsythe appointed him as assistant choreographer for the restaging of his ballet Approximate Sonata, and the Paris Opera Ballet commissioned him his first long creation for the company called: Renaissance, a collaboration with the artistic director of Maison Balmain Olivier Rousteing, on Mendelssohn Violin Concerto n2.
Sebastien was born in 1982 and began to dance in Bordeaux at the age of 6. He joined the Paris Opera Ballet School in 1998. And became a member of the Paris Opera Ballet in 2000. He was promoted to “Sujet” (Soloist), and still dance today, more than 20 years later, in all the productions of the company.
He has danced in all the classical productions by Rudolf Nureyev (Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliette…) as well as ballets by George Balanchine (4 Temperaments, Agon, Jewels), Jerome Robbins (En Sol, The concert, Glass Pieces), John Neumeier (Sylvia, The lady of the camellias, A Midsummer Night’s dream, The song of the Earth, Spring & Fall, Yondering), William Forsythe (Pas/ Parts, The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Approximate Sonata, Herman Schermann), Wayne Mc Gregor (Tree of codes), Benjamin Millepied (Amoveo), Alexei Ratmansky (Psyché), Crystal Pite (The season’s canon, Body & Soul), Alexander Ekman (Play)… He has also completed a Master’s degree in Arts and Politics from Sciences Po Paris, and obtained a state diploma (D.E.) for teaching dance.
In January 2019, he is invited by the prestigious Villa Médicis – Academy of France in Roma to present his work.
In March 2019, Sebastien Bertaud present his new creation for the Roma Opera Ballet called “Nuit blanche”, on Philip Glass’s Tirol concerto for piano & orchestra. Since July 2019, the creative work of Sébastien Bertaud is held at the Origen Festival in Switzerland. For the Festival he created:“UTOPIA“, a creation inspired by Rudolph Von Laban and the Monte Verita Community. In 2020, he created “To my only desire…” inspired by the legendary “Lady & the Unicorn” tapestries with music by Arnold Schoenberg, and in 2021, “Genesis” based on the thematic of the “creation”, with musics by J.S Bach and Peteris Vasks. In 2021, he collaborates with cellist Gautier Capuçon for the Paris Concert on the 14th of July for the French Television , and for the “A summer in France” Tour.
Part 1: “Renaissance“
Choreography: Sébastien Bertaud
Music: Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Concerto pour violon n°2, op. 64
Costume design: Balmain (Designed by Olivier Rousteing)
Lighting design: Madjid Hakimi
Choreographer and dancer Sébastien Bertaud unveils his original creation, “Renaissance,” at the Opéra Garnier, set to the stirring strains of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto No. 2. In a groundbreaking collaboration, Bertaud joins forces with Olivier Rousteing, the visionary artistic director of Balmain, to design the production’s costumes which will feature Julian MacKay from the Bavarian State Ballet and Liudmila Konovalova from the Vienna State Opera as the leading couple. This fusion of high fashion and classical dance continues a storied tradition of creative partnerships, with each costume meticulously crafted by Balmain’s skilled artisans.
“Renaissance” is a celebration of the timeless elegance of the French School of Dance, intertwining the historic grandeur of Versailles with Rousteing’s signature modern opulence. Bertaud’s innovative vision aims to breathe new life into classical dance, making it resonate with contemporary audiences and ensuring its relevance in the modern world.
Rousteing, inspired by dance legends like Rudolf Nureyev, views this project as a rare and enriching artistic exchange, showcasing Balmain’s exceptional craftsmanship and design prowess. Since its founding in 1945, Balmain has been synonymous with luxurious, distinctive style. Under Rousteing’s direction, the fashion house has flourished, known for its bold, contemporary aesthetic. Together, Bertaud and Rousteing present “Renaissance” as a mesmerizing tribute to Ballet, seamlessly blending tradition and innovation to create a truly captivating experience.
Intermission
Part 2:
“Cuban Nutcracker” 3’
Choreography: Alisher Khasanov
Performed by Julian Mackay
Pas de Deux “Black Swan” from the ballet “Swan Lake” 12’
Choreography: Marius Petipa
Performed by Jinhao Zhang & Liudmila Konovalova
Pas de Deux from the ballet “Don Quixote” 10’
Choreography: Marius Petipa
Performed by Julian Mackay & Lizi Avsajanishvili
Pas de Deux “Giselle” from the ballet Giselle 11’
Choreography : Marius Petipa Performed by David Motta Soares & Elisa Carrillo Cabrera
“Diamonds” 10’
Choreography: George Balanchine Performed by Julian Mackay & Liudmila Konovalova