Swan Lake

A Ballet Dream: "Swan Lake"
The International Festival Ballet presents a fairy tale of beauty, elegance, and grace. A perfect work of art with live orchestral accompaniment.

The International Festival Ballet presents one of the most famous ballets set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake." For many, "Swan Lake" is synonymous with ballet itself. The romantic tale of young Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with the swan princess Odette and seeks to free her from the evil spell of Duke Rothbart, is a story about the power of true love. This ballet piece is part of the standard repertoire of all major companies. In particular, the Allegro Moderato from the swan dances of Act 2, choreographed by Lev Ivanov, has been the subject of countless parodies and is therefore known as the "Dance of the Four Little Swans" far beyond the ballet-interested audience. In short: a brilliant work by a brilliant composer and a crowd-puller for centuries. "Swan Lake" is brought to the stage by one of the best classical ballet ensembles, the International Festival Ballet. Additionally, the magnificent stage design by the brilliant theater designer Vyacheslav Okunev, who has worked for the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan, along with beautiful costumes and the boundless elegance and carefree lightness of the ballet ensemble, create a dreamy and fairy-tale version of a classic ballet that continues to fascinate even after more than 100 years.

The International Festival Ballet Ensemble performs under the artistic direction of Elena Antsupova.

The International Festival Ballet was founded in 2009 to represent the best traditions and spirit of classical ballet.

The International Festival Ballet is an international ballet that transcends national borders, uniting dancers from 20 different nations and standing for understanding and coexistence in the poetry of art, music, and dance. Artistically, the ballet represents the Russian school of classical ballet in its purest form. Strict elegance combined with influences from modernity and the 21st century results in a top-class dance performance—all in conjunction with magnificent costumes and splendid stage designs.

In the new season, the International Festival Ballet presents yet another special jewel of classical ballet: "Swan Lake."

The immortal ballet classics of Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky are known worldwide and enchant people of all ages. Everyone knows the romantic story of "Swan Lake" with the white and black swan, which has become synonymous with the elegance of classical ballet at the highest level. The centuries-old sleep of Sleeping Beauty, from which only the love of a prince can awaken her, has captivated audiences for generations. And the story of the ballet "The Nutcracker" offers the perfect winter and Christmas magic for the whole family. The unique performances of the International Festival Ballet bring beloved ballets to life in charming beauty and perfection.

Classical ballet has a long tradition in Eastern Europe, which is still upheld today. Renowned ballet schools are known for their high standards and rigor, and the students for their dedication, ambition, and immense talent. The 42 dancers of the International Festival Ballet have also gone through this rigorous training, whether at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, the Moscow Academy of Choreography, the Ballet School in Ufa, or the Ballet Academy in Perm in Russia, as well as the ballet schools in Kyiv or Kharkiv in Ukraine, or the Italian La Scala or the French Grand Opera. They have all worked at the most important ballet theaters in Europe and have won numerous awards at international ballet festivals and competitions. Together, they have become one of the most aesthetically and technically successful ballet companies not only in Europe but also worldwide as part of the International Festival Ballet. In addition to an absolutely precise dance technique, this ballet at a high level is characterized by a harmonious and coherent overall picture and elegant lightness. The International Festival Ballet shines with a perfect dance performance that takes the audience's breath away.

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Artistic Director & Conductor Normunds Vaicis

The Festival Orchestra was founded by talented musicians from Moldova, Ukraine, and Latvia. The artistic director and chief conductor is the renowned conductor Normunds Vaicis. The orchestra's repertoire includes works by Ravel, Debussy, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Fauré, Albegis, Gounod, and many others. Music from classical ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don Quixote, and many others is a central part of the repertoire. The orchestra has collaborated with renowned ballet ensembles from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The Festival Orchestra has successfully performed in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and other European countries and has established itself as one of the best ballet orchestras in Europe despite its relatively small size. In the near future, they will perform Russian ballet seasons for the renowned International Festival Ballet in Scandinavia, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria.