Swan Lake

The fairy tale of beauty, elegance, and grace, “Swan Lake”

The greatest work of ballet classics of all time

Music: P. I. Tchaikovsky

Choreography: L. Ivanov and M. Petipa

Adaptation: Elena Antsupova

Set and costume design: V. Okunev

A ballet dream: “Swan Lake”

The International Festival Ballet presents a magnificent, elegant, and graceful performance. A complete work of art with live orchestral accompaniment

The International Festival Ballet presents one of the most famous ballets set to the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, “Swan Lake.”

For many, “Swan Lake” is synonymous with ballet in general. The romantic fairy tale of the young Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with the swan princess Odette and wants to free her from the evil spell of the Duke Rothbart, is a story about the power of true love.

This ballet belongs to the standard repertoire of all major ballet companies. In particular, the “Dance of the Four Little Swans” from Act 2, Allegro Moderato in Lev Ivanov’s choreography, has been the subject of countless parodies and is therefore also known outside the circle of ballet enthusiasts as the “Dance of the Four Little Ducks.” In short: a genius work by a genius composer that has captivated audiences for centuries.

“Swan Lake” is performed on stage by one of the finest classical ballet ensembles, the International Festival Ballet. In addition, the grand set design by the brilliant theatre designer Vyacheslav Okunev, who works, among others, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan, the splendid costumes, and the ballet ensemble’s unlimited elegance and effortless lightness create a dreamlike and fairy-tale version of classical ballet that continues to fascinate even after more than 100 years.

International Festival Ballet Ensemble

Artistic Director Elena Antsupova

The International Festival Ballet was founded in 2009 to represent the finest traditions and spirit of classical ballet.

The International Festival Ballet is an international ballet that thinks beyond national borders, brings together dancers from 20 different countries, and stands for understanding and coexistence in the poetry of art, music, and dance. Artistically, the ballet represents the Russian school of classical ballet in its purest form. Strict elegance combined with influences of modernism and the 21st century, resulting in a dance performance of the highest class - all together with splendid costumes and luxurious sets.

In the new season, the International Festival Ballet once again presents a special pearl of classical ballet: “Swan Lake”.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s immortal works of ballet classics are known all over the world and enchant people of all ages. Everyone knows the romantic story of “Swan Lake” with the white and black swan, which has become synonymous with the elegance of classical ballet at the highest level. The centuries-old sleep of Snow White, from which only the prince’s love can awaken her, has fascinated audiences for generations. And the story of the ballet “The Nutcracker” offers the perfect winter and Christmas magic for the whole family. The unique performances of the International Festival Ballet bring beloved ballets to life with enchanting beauty and perfection.

Classical ballet has a long tradition in Eastern Europe, and this tradition continues today. The renowned ballet schools are known for their high standards and rigor, and the students for their determination, ambition, and immense talent. The 42 dancers of the International Festival Ballet have also gone through this rigorous school, whether at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, the Moscow Choreography Academy, the ballet school in Ufa or the ballet academy in Perm in Russia, the ballet schools in Kyiv or Kharkiv in Ukraine, or the Italian La Scala or the French Grand Opera. They have all worked in Europe’s leading ballet theatres and won numerous awards at international ballet festivals and competitions. Together they have become one of the most aesthetically and technically successful ballet companies not only in Europe, but, as part of the International Festival Ballet, throughout the world as well. In addition to absolutely precise dance technique, this ballet stands out for its harmonious and coordinated overall impression and elegant lightness. The International Festival Ballet is distinguished by perfect dance performance that leaves audiences breathless.

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Artistic Director and Conductor Normunds Vaicis

The Festival Orchestra was founded by talented musicians from Moldova, Ukraine, and Latvia. The artistic director and chief conductor is the renowned conductor Normunds Vaicis. The orchestra’s repertoire includes works by Ravel, Debussy, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Fauré and Albeniz, Gounod, and many other composers. Music from classical ballets such as “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” “The Secret Princess,” “Giselle,” “Don Quixote,” and many others is a key part of the repertoire. The orchestra has collaborated with famous ballet ensembles from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The Festival Orchestra has performed with great success in France, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and other European countries and, despite its relatively small size, has become one of the best ballet orchestras in Europe. In the near future, it will perform at the prestigious International Ballet Festival, presenting Russian ballet season programs in Scandinavia, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria.