Swan Lake…on the Lake

The Story
Based on the timeless classic choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, this romantic tale of frustrated love is inspired by the Fabergé world of majestic Russia.

One of the most popular, spectacular and virtuosic ballets for all, The Moscow Theatre Ballet’s Swan Lake brings a level of exceptional artistry not seen in the UAE before. Set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable music, the Ballet is accompanied by the Grammy nominated Moscow Symphony Orchestra, one of Russia’s most prestigious orchestras, under the baton of conductor Eduard Gulbis.

The scene opens up at the lakeside where the Evil Magician Von Rothbart is on his nightly rounds. All his enchanted swans can return to being beautiful maidens in the evenings if they are by the lake. They are on the lookout for someone who has never loved before to swear true love and that will break the spell they are under forever. Talk about a hard task! Prince Siegfried and his really good friend Benno have broken away from the other hunters to hunt alone. However not being overly brave they hear a sound that frightens them terribly. It is the Swan Queen Odette trying desperately to find true love. Luckily we are in the 19th century where true love was still possible. As the scene unfolds we find there are a lot of obstacles in loving a bird, especially a royal one. In the end Von Rothbart intercedes as dawn approaches and Odette and the maidens are drawn by the power of the spell back to the lake to become swans again

…the path of true love is never smooth!

The Company
The Moscow Theatre Ballet is a pure classical ballet company that brings the grand tradition of Russian ballet to audiences throughout the world. The company has been heralded by the press for its uniquely Russian style and its embodiment of the classical traditions of Russian dance. Their approach is broad heroic and assertive choreography, full of romanticism and passion which is consistent with the Russian technique. This style from the Golden Age of the Bolshoi differentiates the Moscow Theatre Ballet from the other major international companies making it superlative and unique.

The Moscow Symphony Orchestra
2006 has been a busy year for the M.S.O. In the New Year they were nominated for a Grammy, the musical equivalent of the Oscars for their work on “The Adventures of Mark Twain, in the best Classical Crossover Album category. The orchestra is a very active participant of the Moscow musical life and has performed under famous Russian and foreign conductors. They have toured in the USA, Japan, South Korea and Western Europe.

The Music
Swan Lake was the first composition Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky created especially for the ballet. In fact, Tchaikovsky wrote to composer Rimsky-Korsakov in 1875: “I accepted the work partly because I needed the money, and because I long cherished a desire to try my hand at type of music.” His talent and creativity set a much higher standard in the ballet music of the period, leading to a revolution in the process of music and ballet creation.

Swan Lake was mainly written in Moscow, and the orchestration gathers various instruments such as flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp and strings. Tchaikovsky completed the score in 1876.

The Press
“The audience was clearly mesmerised as the Moscow Ballet Company and Symphony Orchestra performed at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre during the weekend. The first staged ballet in the UAE to perform with a full orchestra, Swan Lake proved a huge hit among Dubai residents after the first two nights…”

- Gulf News, 5 May 2006

“The entire Moscow ballet cast put in an impressive and expressive performance…”

- Gulf News, 7 May 2006

Pictures
Click on thumbnail images below to view larger image.

Event Details

 Outdoors @ Dubai Media City
   May 4th & 5th 2006

 Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi
   May 10th & 11th

Performed by The Moscow Ballet

Accompanied by The Moscow Symphony Orcehstra
Conducted by Eduard Gulbis



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