Following a two-year pandemic-imposed hiatus, the great ballet classic Swan Lake brings memorable moments to the festive period with Teatro della Pergola hosting the extravaganza on December 23.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable masterpiece tells the love story of Prince Siegfried who encounters a flock of swans while on a hunting trip, becoming enamoured with the Swan Queen, Odette. A curse by the evil sorcerer Baron von Rothbart threatens their happiness, with Odette only able to take human form between midnight and daybreak.
With the exquisite choreography of the renowned Marius Petipa, 48 dancers from the Opera Națională Română Iași (Romanian National Opera) dazzle, with the principal dancers Vlad Mărculescu and Obengül Polen Gezmis enthralling all present, having performed in many of the most impressive classic ballets over their successful careers.
Speaking with the director of Fondazione Teatro Lirico Siciliano, Armando Randazzo, the significance of recommencing this special Christmas tradition was highlighted “We’ve toured Italy during the Christmas period for twenty years, working with a ballet from Saint Petersburg. This year, we will bring a talented troop from Romania, after the event had been halted for two years.”
There’s something quintessentially festive about seeing ballet in a spectacular setting such as Teatro della Pergola over Christmastime, with the historic theatre hosting the exceptional ballet performed to the highest quality, replicating the original story as it was almost 150 years ago.
Be sent to far off lands as you listen to Tchaikovsky’s soaring strings and gaze in wonder at the international ballerinas take over the theatre with dream-like dancing. Costumes are faithful to the 1800s, with the romantic plot appealing to audiences from all over, making it no surprise that the ballet is one of the most popular of all time.
Swan Lake will be performed at 9pm on December 23 at Teatro della Pergola, with tickets purchasable via ticketone.it.
