Mikhailovsky Theatre
| 17 June |
| 19:00 |
| 2026 | Wednesday |
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Russian Classical Ballet Stars at the Mikhailovsky Theatre Swan Lake Ballet in 3 acts
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Premiere of this production: 01 Oct 2021 The performance has 2 intermissions Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes
The Mikhailovsky Theatre, one of Saint Petersburg’s oldest and most cherished cultural landmarks, welcomes audiences into a world of timeless elegance and artistic mastery. Nestled in the heart of the city, this historic stage has witnessed generations of exceptional performers, including artists trained at the same prestigious academies as the dancers of the Mariinsky Theatre. This season, the theatre presents Swan Lake, the quintessential ballet of Tchaikovsky. With its spellbinding choreography, lyrical grace, and the eternal struggle between love and fate, the performance promises to transport viewers into a realm of beauty and emotion, brought to life by the company’s exceptional talent and profound artistry. Libretto after Vladimir Begichev and Vasily Geltzer
The production features choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Alexander Gorsky, and Asaf Messerer
Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato’s version of “the Russian stage’s foremost ballet” is more fantasy than fairy tale. “We are moving away from the romance of medieval castles and court rituals,” says the choreographer. “I want to create a more contemporary story, a profoundly emotional and human one. These emotions stem from the music of Tchaikovsky, but the setting will be the twentieth century. The artist Angelina Atlagic has devised fantastically beautiful costumes and an extremely elegant stage design.” Nacho Duato uses fragments of the classic choreography by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa in his production, but the final act will be something completely new. “The final scene may surprise audiences,” the choreographer hints. “I don’t want to give it away — better for everyone to interpret it in their own way. But if I’m asked whether there’s a happy ending, I’ll say this: the way I see it, there is.” SynopsisAct I
Scene 1: The Park of a Castle
Prince Siegfried and his friends are celebrating his coming of age at a private party. The guests drink to his health and the jester entertains them with his antics. The Prince is warned that his mother, the Princess Regent, is approaching.
She is displeased with her son’s behaviour and she presents him with a crossbow. After the Princess has gone, the partying begins anew.
Twilight falls. The guests depart and the Prince is left alone in the park. High above, Siegfried catches sight of a flock of white swans and the vision stirs the hunter’s urge in him.
Seizing his bow, the Prince makes his way off into the heart of the forest.
Scene 2: A Lake in the Forest in the Middle of the Night
White swans are swimming near the shore; they are beautiful young maidens who have been transformed by the evil magician von Rothbart. Only at night can they assume human form and the only power on earth which can break this evil spell is devoted love.
Siegfried appears. He sees one of the white birds come to shore and draws his bow to shoot it. The bird suddenly turns into a beautiful woman – it is Odette, Queen of the swan-maidens. Odette’s beauty enthrals the Prince and he tries to capture her. She, however, is afraid of the evil magician and, as she avoids Siegfried, she disappears in the midst of the swan-maidens. Siegfried runs after Odette and vows eternal love and fidelity to her.
Odette’s heart responds in the same way to Siegfried’s passionate love.
Dawn breaks. Odette bids Siegfried a tender farewell and the white swans glide slowly away across the lake.
Act II
Scene 3: A Ball at the Castle
Siegfried must choose a bride from among the well-bred maidens who have been invited, but he remains indifferent to them all because he has given his heart to Odette. Only at his mother’s insistence does he dance with any of the prospective brides.
He must, however, choose one of them, and as a token of his love he must give his chosen bride a bouquet. As he faces this dilemma, however, a fanfare of trumpets heralds the arrival of new guests – the magician von Rothbart and Odile, his daughter. The Prince is struck by her resemblance to Odette.
Von Rothbart wants the Prince to fall in love with Odile so that he will break his vow of eternal love and fidelity; Odette will then remain in the sorcerer’s power forever. It is for this reason that he has given his own daughter Odette’s form and features. Odile seduces Siegfried, who is fascinated by her charm. He announces to his mother that the beautiful Odile is his choice. The wicked magician is jubilant.
Suddenly Siegfried sees a vision of the true swan-maiden outside the castle window and realises that he has been deceived into breaking his vow. In despair, he rushes to the lake to find his beloved Odette.
Act III
Scene 4: The Lakeside, at Night
The swan-maidens stand dejected and sad. Odette has told them what has happened.
Siegfried rushes in. He begs Odette to forgive him and he professes his undying love for her, but the enraged sorcerer summons the black swans and commands them to separate Odette and Siegfried. Siegfried grapples with the sorcerer. Fearless in the encounter, he breaks von Rothbart’s wing. The sorcerer collapses, his power gone, and he dies.
Love has broken the evil spell. The sun rises and shines radiantly on the Prince and Odette, and on the maidens whom Siegfried has rescued. | |
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