Info

The Swan Lake

 (Ballet in three acts, with two interludes)

Music by P. I. Tchaikovsky

Choreography by Marius Petipa, Lav Ivanov
Choreography's Redaction Tarand Gediminas

GPiotr Tchaikovsky is the world known and most famous Russian composer. The memorable melodies, strong colors and uninhibited emotionalism of Pyotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky have long made him one of the most widely popular of all composers.

Even as a boy, Piotr Tchaikovsky was said to be emotional, intense, and complex. From his earliest years, Piotr's emotions spanned the gamut from extremely happy to intensely depressed. History recalls that Piotr Tchaikovsky was a headstrong, impetuous youth. The complex boy became a complex man.

Brilliantly intellectual, Tchaikovsky at first opted to study law. However, well into his law studies, Tchaikovsky determined that the profession was an ill suited choice for someone of his emotional temperament. Fortunately, Piotr Tchaikovsky was also talented musically - gifted, in fact - and he was accepted into the Conservatory of St. Petersburg to study music.

Tchaikovsky mastered the fundamentals of composition quickly and began writing original compositions within months of entering the conservatory. It was as if he were driven to write, so many hours did he dedicate to the task. But considering his temperament, it was characteristic of Tchaikovsky - the intensity and the perfectionism. In fact, Tchaikovsky was so intent that his music be his best that if he did not consider a piece perfect, he tore it up. In his last years, he accomplished stunning feats, drafting Pikovaya dama (The Queen of Spades) in 43 days, Spyashchaya krasavitsa (The Sleeping Beauty) in about 40, and the Sixth Symphony in about 24.

The famous white ballet by P. I. Tchaikovsky “THE SWAN LAKE” is one of the fundamental ballet pieces even written. White ballet remain the most difficult exam for testing the ballet potentials of any soloist, while creating the role of Odette is the biggest achievement in the art of any classical ballerina. The Swan Lake by P. I. Tchaikovsky was premiered on 20th February 1877 at the Bolshoy Theatre in Moscow. The libretto was written by Vladimir Begicev, director of the Moscow Imperial Ballets, and Vasilij Geljcer, dancer. Unfortunately, it was not successful. After Tchaikovsky’s death, a new version was staged at the Marinsky Theatre of St. Peterburg on 27th January 1895. The choreography that became the basis for all future versions of the ballet was signed by Marius Petipa (acts I and III) and Lav Ivanov (Acts II and IV).

In this new version, Modest Illitch Tchaikovsky, composer's brother, signed the libretto and corrected the mistakes made in the first version. Riccardo Drigo, conductor and also famous ballet composer, added some parts from Children’s Album to the origin music. It was the performance that entered the ballet art.

Performers:

The Queen - R. Vladimirova
Prince Siegfried – K. Radev – N. Bekzhanov
Odette – A. Miheykina
Odile – A. Ivanova
Ceremonial Master – V. Taranda
Prince's Fiends – E. Tikanova, Y. Golovyna, (M. Kamish, E. Hapova)
Court Jesters – A. Lodochkin, R. Arhipov (A. Alkin)
Three Swans – E. Colesnicenco, E. Hapova, A. Cukanova
The Swans Quartet – M. Sokoljnikova, Andrejeva, Majumi, Poljakova
Rothbart – N. Bekzhanov (J. Ostrovski)
The Brides – A. Sjajleva, N. Poljakova, Kim Jeun Jong, N. Gubanova
Hungarian dance – A. Alikin, E. Hapova, Gerasimov, J. Golovina
Spanish dance – N. Tishenko, E. Colecnicenko, Volkov, J. Ostrovski
Napolitans dance – M. Sokoljnikova, A. Lodockin, Poljakova, R. Arhipov
The Mazurka – Ivanchuk, Djachkov, Filimoncev, Gajdash, Romanova, Ganik

Pedagogues / Educators – Galina Shljapina, Vitautas Taranda

Scenography / Set Designer– A. Zlobin

Costume Designer – A. Ipatjeva

« Back to program