On
an evening over the weekend to celebrate the 45^th anniversary of
establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and France, The Opera
and Ballet Theater resonated to Frenchman Robert Ressiko conducting Maurice
Ravel’s Bolero, the music all the more appealing as the lights had gone out and
both the orchestra and the audience were in darkness.

The
three-day celebration began with a speech by French Ambassador Jean-Paul
Dumont, who recalled that the relationship between the two countries went a
long way, to the days of Munkh Khaan and Ludovic VII. Ressiko and State Artist
J.Burenbekh then conducted the national anthem of their respective country. After
that N.Tuulaikhuu conducted Sounds of Wind Birds by Z.Khangal, a perennial
favorite with Mongolian listeners.

Ressiko
chose a piece by Jean Baptist Lully.  It
was interesting how French brass instruments combined with the orchestra. The
electricity went off as Ressiko began on Bolero. However, the music continued as
if nothing had happened. Fortunately power was back soon. The audience and
Ressiko applauded the orchestra for their defiance of the dark.