Swan Lake

Swan Lake | Pëtr Il’ič Čajkovskij

A timeless classic, indeed a central title in the ballet canon, Swan Lake returns to the Regio with the Latvian National Ballet of Riga, for the first time a guest of an Italian theater. In a classic staging, which has reaped success in the main European cities, the fairy tale of Queen Odette, imprisoned in the guise of a beautiful white swan, will come to life again; of Prince Siegfried, who is tasked with breaking the spell; and of Odile and Rothbart, who try to hinder them. Like a starry cloak that envelops everything, Tchaikovsky's music guides the characters' destinies to their outcome. With this first ballet, performed for the first time at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1877, the Russian composer found the ideal form of spectacle into which to channel his music, where an immense sadness is accompanied by an infinite delicacy: the fury and the tears find here the grace of crystal, his ingenious melodies, with iridescent reflections, flow one after the other as if from an inexhaustible source. The conventions of classical ballet give them the right space in scenes that allow the musical pomp and the virtuosity of the corps de ballet to be displayed simultaneously, such as the parties at the prince's court or the parade of swans on the nocturnal reflections of the lake.

Synopsis

Act I

Siegfried’s birthday party in the castle garden To celebrate Siegfried’s eighteenth birthday, Alexander and the courtiers and neighbours have organized a surprise party for him in the garden of the castle. The Prince’s tutor Von Rasposen is irritated by Siegfried and Alexander’s friendly relationship with the local peasants. The festivities are interrupted by the arrival of the Queen, the Prince’s mother. She presents her son with a ring reminding him of his future role as successor to the throne: he will soon have to choose a bride. Siegfried is downcast at the prospect of his youth drawing to a close. As darkness falls he and Alexander ponder on the future. They decide to explore the surrounding forest.

Act II

The meeting with Odette Lost in the forest, Siegfried and Alexander arrive at the banks of a great lake. A huge circling bird of prey fills them with fear: it is as if the form of Von Rasposen is still spying on them. The bird of prey – in fact the wicked magician Von Rothbart – summons a swan out of the dark lake, which takes on human form. In Odette, the Swan Queen, and her retinue of swan maidens, Siegfried believes he has found the realization of his ideal of sincerity and simplicity. Surrounded by these pure shapes he is overcome with joy. He swears to remain forever true to his ideals.

Act III

The betrayal During a ball at the castle several brides-in-waiting are presented to Siegfried. But to the amazement of the guests, and to his mother’s alarm, Siegfried refuses to make a choice; all the pomp and splendour contrast starkly with the purity of the vision experienced at the lakeside. Von Rasposen announces the last guests: Von Rothbart, his daughter Odile and their retinue. Siegfried imagines that the Black Swan, Odile, is a manifestation of the White Swan Queen, Odette, but still he wavers. Von Rothbart and Odile blind him with a sensual display of dazzling virtuosity. To Alexander’s dismay Siegfried yields and offers Odile the ring. Too late he realizes that he has betrayed his ideal, Odette. Stricken, he flees back to the lake in despair.

Act IV

The reconciliation with Odette Disillusioned and betrayed, Odette and the swan maidens tarry by the moonlit lakeside, where Siegfried finds them. Odette forgives Siegfried and attempts to comfort him, telling him that he must learn to live with reality. Von Rothbart tries to drive Siegfried away from the lake, but although Siegfried manages to defy him, he drowns in the waters. Von Rasposen abandons his futile search for the Prince, while Alexander discovers the lifeless body of his friend. In Alexander, Siegfried’s ideals will live on.

Program and cast

BALLET IN THREE ACTS (FOUR SCENES)

Music by Pëtr Il’ič Čajkovskij

Libretto by Vladimir Begičev and Vasilij Gel’cer

Coreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov

World première: 

Mosca, Teatro Bol'šoj,  01/20/1900

Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov choreography

Aivars Leimanis taken from

Juan Guillermo Nova sets

Robert Perdziola costumes

Ainārs Pastars lighting

Juan Guillermo Nova, Uģis Ezerietis video

Soloists and Ballet Company of the Latvian National Ballet 

Orchestra Teatro Regio Torino 

Lecture-Concert: Wednesday 17 December at 6 pm - Piccolo Regio Puccini