Swan Lake

Ballet in three acts

Libretto Władimir Biegiczew, Wasilij Galcer

Choreography: IREK MUCHAMIEDOW
After: MARIUS PETIPA, LEW IWANOW
Music: PIOTR CZAJKOWSKI
Conductor: EVGENY VOLYNSKY
Set Designer: PAWEŁ WALICKI
Costumes: IRENA BIEGAŃSKA
Lights: STANISŁAW ZIĘBA

Polish premiere: 25.05.2001

The ballet has always been extremely popular. Our production is the sixth one performed in Warsaw after the Second World War. It is prepared by the famous Russian dancer, Irek Mukhamedov, who bases on the traditional St. Petersburg choreographic version of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, repeated all over the world for over a hundred years. By night, on the eve of his engagement, the romantic Prince Siegfried is hunting at the lake side. We see him there in a famous ballet scene of white swans, a true masterpiece of 19th-century choreography. When Siegfried approaches the most beautiful swan, it turns to be the enchanted Princess Odette. Charmed, the Prince declares her his love, which can free the girl from the power of the evil sorcerer Rothbart. Unfortunetely, Siegfried's mother has already  invited maidens from foreign countries, so that her son could find his fiancee. Rothbart also comes to the castle's ball with his daughter Odile, Odette's look-alike. Alas, the prince falls in the sorcerer's trap. He betrays Odette and pledges his love to Odile. Evil triumphs, but we are still enchanted by the romantic fairy tale and stunning beauty of Pyotr Tchaikovsky's music.

Polish National Ballet
Orchestra of the Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera