YEKATERINBURG, Russia (Reuters Life!) - Sex, power and fabulous wealth are images of modern Russia and also the theme for an ambitious new musical evoking one of Russia's most famous rulers.

This four-part historical drama follows the end of Catherine the Great's reign and her affair with Russian military leader Grigory Potemkin that helped shape the future of Russian politics.

Princess Dashkova led research institutes, wrote plays and music, and embarked on a Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe E.R. Zarevich Princess Dashkova (center) exchanged letters with Benjamin Franklin ...