Classical Arts Entertainment PRESENTS STATE BALLET THEATRE OF UKRAINE: SWAN LAKE
All Ages
Newly added performance @ 3:00pm !
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Swan Lake is an essential ballet in contemporary classical theatre, and its psychological depth remains relevant today. The ballet's classical elements are evident in its meticulously crafted structure, adherence to traditional dance styles, and the distinction between classical and character dance. Its psychological impact lies in its enigmatic exploration of duplicity and the profound themes of fate and destiny.
Despite its eventual acclaim, Swan Lake did not receive instant recognition upon its premiere in 1877. The initial production, directed by Vaclav Reisinger at the Bolshoi Theatre, was conventional and lacked innovation. The renowned "Russian soul" and the iconic symbol of Russian spirituality embodied by the Swan were absent. Additionally, Tchaikovsky's music, fluctuating between mournful longing, triumphant celebration, and ominous foreboding, was not initially regarded as a masterpiece. Some critics considered the ballet lacking melodies, with the music being its weakest aspect. The spiritual essence of the ballet was overshadowed by the corps de ballet, who rigidly waved their cardboard wings during the premiere – an image that seems comical by today's standards. It is only through the recognition of Polina Karpakova, the first performer of the role of Odette, that we understand that ballet's history did not begin in St. Petersburg.
However, in St. Petersburg, Swan Lake found its true home. After a memorial concert for the composer at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1894, Lev Ivanov presented a delicate and touching "swan scene." This performance inspired Marius Petipa, the ballet company's director, to finally stage Tchaikovsky's dance debut at the Imperial Theatre. The premiere took place in 1895. Conductor and composer Riccardo Drigo tactfully revised the music, and most choreographers have since followed his version. The collaboration of Frenchman Petipa, Russian Ivanov, Italian Drigo, and Pierina Legnani as Odette-Odile gave birth to the legendary myth of Swan Lake.
Swan Lake has undergone significant changes on only three occasions throughout its more than century-long existence at the Mariinsky Theatre. This is a testament to the ballet's enduring nature. The most radical revision was surprisingly undertaken by a woman, Agrippina Yakovlevna Vaganova. Vaganova, a renowned teacher and exceptional soloist, aimed to simplify the mysticism of the libretto and music. She portrayed the story of the swan-maiden as the hallucinations of an erudite youth, eliminating the possibility of resurrection for the protagonists in the finale. However, only faint traces of Vaganova's influence remain in the current production, such as the graceful arm movements reminiscent of a swan and the expressive choreography in the meeting of Odette and Siegfried. Ten years later, Fyodor Lopukhov, another prominent figure in Soviet ballet, allowed the male protagonist to live and restored Odette's human form in the finale. However, Lopukhov's version, notable for von Rothbart's exceptional variation, remained in the theatre's repertoire for five years before being replaced by Konstantin Sergeyev's rendition. Sergeyev, a renowned dancer and choreographer, skillfully combined the best elements created for Swan Lake over fifty years, adhering to the principles of classical dance. To this day, Sergeyev's version is considered the epitome of classical dance imagery. It is the version captured on film that showcases the lyrical grace of Galina Ulanova, the virtuosic brilliance of Natalia Dudinskaya, the flawless technique of Gabriela Komleva, and the rebellious passion of Galina Mezentseva.
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