Ballet composed in 1876 by Tchaïkovski. He had to wait until 1895 for it to be presented in...Saint Petersburg. Neo-romantic ballet in four acts. This work constitutes one of great works of the academic repertory.
Prince Siegfried celebrates his 21st birthday. During the festival, his mother, makes her appearance and asks her son find a wife. The following day, Siegfried will have to choose a princess. Armed with his new crossbow, the prince decides to go to hunting. In a lake, swim a group of white swans, who will soon metamorphose themselves as young women. Siegfried is fascinated by the leader, whose crown makes her resemble a princess. When Siegfried reveals himself, the princess of the swans, Odette, is frightened. But the prince makes her understand that he loves her and wishes to help her. He swears an eternal fidelity to her. Under the thunder and lightning, Rotbart makes his appearance. It is he, who will change Odette and her partners. The following day, at the castle, during the sumptuous ball Rotbart appears, but Siegfried does not recognize him. Rotbart presents his daughter Odile, who strongly resembles Odette to the prince. The prince falls in love with Odile believing she is Odette. Rotbart bursts out laughing. Siegfried realizes his error and tries to find his true beloved. At the edge of the lake, the swans cry at the treason of Siegfried. He makes his appearance on stage, still in the search of Odette, whom he finally discovers in the middle of the swans. The prince begs his beloved to forgive him. In his rage, Rotbart makes the water of the lake swell, overflowing the banks.
Piotr Tchaïkovski was born on May 7, 1840, in the Ural in Russia. His father was a mining engineer and director. His mother was a woman of a great beauty, but suffered from psychological instability. At the age of 5, he receives his first piano lessons. Impassioned by the music, he begins to study composition with Anton Rubinstein. He enrolls in the conservatory, and gives up a career in law. In June 1854, his mother dies of cholera. In 1865, the Conservatory of Moscow invites Tchaïkovski to teach harmony. It isn’t until 1869 that the career of Tchaïkovski really takes off. In 1876, he corresponds with the very rich Madam Von Meck. This correspondence will be transformed into epistolary love. Madam Von Meck supports Tchaïkovski until the discovery of his homosexuality. Starting in 1880, Tchaïkovski goes regularly to Italy and stays long periods in Florence at a property of Mrs. Von Meck. He there composes several works including the opera, The Queen of Spades. In 1885, he acquires a country house, realizing one of his most precious dreams. November 6 1893, like his mother, Tchaikovski dies of cholera. He leaves us immortal works, including: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Eugene Onéguine, Mazeppa, and The Queen of Spades.
Compositeur : P. TCHAIKOVSKI
Année de Production : 1983
Durée : 2h26
Metteur en scène : I. GRIGOROITCH & I. SELEZNEV
Chef d'orchestre : A. JURAITIS
Solistes : N. BESSMERTNOVA ; A. BOGATIREV