On Thursday, 5 September 2024, the event entitled Opera & Ballet Nights was inaugurated at the Madlena Art Palace. This important artistic event was supported by Zepter International company, Madlena Art Palace, and Madlenianum Opera and Theatre. On this occasion, the cultural programme was organized to include the address of the globally renowned ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, currently the greatest star of artistic dance. Polunin expressed his gratitude for the warm-hearted welcome, reminding the audience that he did not experience Belgrade only as a place of professional opportunity, but much more than that, the place which he perceives as his home. On Friday, 6 September, Sergei Polunin held a master class for students of the ballet school “Lujo Davičo” at the ballet hall of the Madlenianum Theatre, while a day later, on 7 Setpember, his peculiar project, “Rasputin” ballet, was performed after the music of Kirill Richter. A guest from Argentina, the renowned conductor Luis Gorelik, also took the floor. Maestro Gorelik was invited to conduct one of the most famous operas by Verdi – Aida which was performed on 6 September with assistance of the choir and orchestra of the Serbian National Theatre. The audience was also addressed by domestic guests, opera singer Željko Andrić, and Zrnka Mišković on behalf of the Polunin Foundation. The artistic programme was enriched with beautiful arias performed by Branislava Podrumac and Marko Živković, while young promises of Serbian ballet, a six students from Lujo Davičo school, danced the dancing piece The Pastoral.
Beside media representative, the audience also included prominent public figures in the area of arts and business, as well as government officials, ambassadors, and other renowned guests. The Madlena Art Palace extends continuous support to cultural events of the capital. As a singular artistic centre, the Palace is a symbol of top-quality arts, original ideas, and creative spirit, capturing the attention of numerous and eager audience.
