Dramatic production of timeless classic
One of the most popular of all classical ballets, Swan Lake, will be performed by Moscow Ballet β La Classique at the Palace Theatre, Newark, on Tuesday, March 13, at 7.30pm.
This dramatic production of a timeless favourite is set to music by Tchaikovsky.
The ballet was originally presented with choreography by Julius Reisinger at the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow in 1877 but superseded by a new choreographic version by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov at the Maryinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, in 1895.
The famous Act II of Swan Lake, choreographed by Ivanov as part of a memorial tribute to Tchaikovsky who had died the year before, is performed by almost every ballet company in the world.
Prince Siegfried is celebrating his coming of age in the garden of his ancestral palace. His mother observes that itβs time to consider marriage and that tomorrow at the formal celebration of his 21st birthday, the court ball, he should select his future wife from the lovely ladies in attendance.
Before this happens he decides to go hunting. Alone, by a lake, he sees Odette, Queen of the Swans, who appears to be a swan and woman. She explains that evil sorcerer Von Rothbart has cast a spell on her and she must remain a swan, except between midnight and dawn, unless she is saved by true love.
Siegfried swears his undying love, promises to marry her and never to love another. The wicked magician disguises his own daughter, Odile, as the Swan-maiden, and tricks him.
Siegfried asks for her hand in marriage and swears an oath of fidelity to Odile. When Siegfriend realises what is happened he returns to the lake heartbroken.
