A classic on the classics and aesthetic ideal
Swan Lake, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, has become the quintessence of dance as an art form.
Over the decades, Swan Lake, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, has become the quintessence of dance as an art form. No other work has gained as much popularity nor can it compare in terms of the number of stage adaptations and choreographic versions. Undoubtedly, it has achieved a dominant position and is part of the collective imagination.
Premiered in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, it is recognized as the synonym of Gothic-Romantic fantasy, not only for its extraordinary music but also for a plot with traces of deceit, love, and sacrifice in an unreal and magical setting.
With a tragic and emotionally charged ending, the Rome Opera company performs this timeless love story at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, based on the original work by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.
The treacherous Rothbart, a half-human, half-animal sorcerer obsessed with Prince Siegfried, will use one of his beautiful enchanted swans as bait for the young man's doom. Love arises between Siegfried and Odette, who, under the magician's spell, turns into a swan. The transformation of a human being into an animal represents a fateful object of love and seductive illusion. With the threat of imminent death, love will overcome evil.
A classic on the classics and aesthetic ideal that continues to enchant an audience eager for beauty in the digital age.
Ballet in a prologue and four acts
Choreography readapted by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov (1895) from the original by Julius Reisinger (1877).
World premiere: Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow 03/04/1877.
Premiere in Barcelona: Gran Teatre del Liceu 05/11/1925.
Last performance at the Liceu: 05/30/2021.
Total performances at the Liceu: 76.
- First act 55min
- Interval 30min
- Second part 1h 5min
With the support of:
Dance Circle:
Artistic profile
- Conductor
- Koen Kessels
- Music
- Piotr Íllitx Txaikovski
- Choreography
- Benjamin Pech
- Set and costume design
- Aldo Buti
- Lighting
- Vinicio Cheli
- Production
- Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
- Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu