Music: Pyotr IIyich Tchaikovsky
Conductor: Levan Jagaev
The cold, white, frosty evening on Grand Canal Square sets the perfect scene for a presentation of Swan Lake by the State Ballet of Georgia. Every seat in the theatre is taken. It is an extra special treat to have Tchaikovsky’s famous opening Swan Theme played by our very own RTE Concert Orchestra.
The curtain rises on a flurry of colourful activity. In the park to the front of the Royal Palace, Wolfgang, the Master of Ceremonies (David Ananeli) is directing the Court as they prepare for a ball which will celebrate Prince Siegfried’s (Oleg Ligai) coming of age. A beautiful mountainous backdrop is reminiscent of Georgia’s own peaks and the sumptuous costumes are simply stunning. The Princess Regent (Ina Azmaiparashvili) bestows the gift of a crossbow on her son. He is told that he must choose a bride during festivities the following night. Siegfried, his friend Benno and the rest of their hunting party set off into the dusk.
For the second part of Act 1 we find ourselves at the Lake of Tears which lies in the shadow of the ruins of an old fortress. Here we encounter the legendary swans, periodically transforming back into beautiful young maidens, as perpetuated by Baron Von Rothbart’s evil curse. The Prince, beseeched and enraptured by the beautiful Swan Queen, lays down his weapon and does not harm them. He declares his everlasting love for Odette (Nino Samdashvili), breaking the malediction. While Swan Lake is reputedly based on Russian and German folklore, this ancient tale is reminiscent also of Ireland’s legend The Children of Lir.
The rich and vivid tapestry of the ball at the palace in Act II, scene III, is a feast for our eyes. Guests dance and make merry but Siegfried is despondent. He longs for Odette. Suddenly, Rothbart appears. With a flourish, he introduces his bewitching daughter, Odile. She proceeds to enthral the young Prince who has been mesmerised by her likeness to Odette. Spellbound by the sorcery he utters his undying love for her, negating his previous pledge to the Swan Queen who has been watching covertly as the tragedy unfolds. Siegfried notices her and realises his terrible mistake. In the final scene Odette is comforted by the ethereal swans on the lake before the Prince arrives to beg for her forgiveness. This adaptation’s unexpected ending will remain a secret for your viewing pleasure.
Nina Ananiashvili’s interpretation of this famous ballet, most ably assisted by Alexey Fadeechev, is predictably on point. The ex-Bolshoi prima ballerina is, after all, one of the ballet world’s foremost Grande Dames. Vyacheslav Okunev has produced a dazzling display of sensational costumes and truly evocative sets. Leading soloist, Samdashvili as Odette/Odile is thoroughly accomplished and technically sound but lacks that elusive star quality. Her pauses and bows for applause throughout are jarring and interrupt continuity. Kyiv’s State Ballet’s College graduate, Ligai is also a solid Prince Siegfried. Their Black Swan Pas de deux with Ligai’s grand jetés and Samdasvili’s fouettés is a joy to watch.
Tbilisi’s Opera and Ballet State Theatre’s Corps de ballet have given us the most delightful swans. If it wasn’t for the sound of the toe blocks in their pointe shoes you might think they were floating, such is the delicacy of their steps. The Danse des Petits Cygnes, always a challenge, is perfectly executed. The swans Pas de Trois less so. The Spanish dancers in Rothbart’s entourage are outstanding. The applause, when it comes in appreciation of their flawless performance and the choreography, is deafening.
Along with Okunev’s sets and costumes, Tchaikovsky’s symphonic score, played superbly by RTE’s Concert Orchestra and conducted by Levan Jagaev provides a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop to an enchanting story and magical evening’s entertainment.
Ran Until 24th November 2024.
The Review’s Hub Score
Magical!
