Gulbju Ezers/Swan Lake/ Лебединое Озеро

International Festival Ballet & Festival Orchestra
present
A Fairy Tale of Beauty, Elegance and Grace “Swan Lake”
The greatest ballet classic of all time
Music: P. I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography: L. Ivanov & M. Petipa
Edited by: Elena Antsupova
Stage design and costumes: V. Okunev

 

A Ballet Dream: “Swan Lake”
The International Festival Ballet presents a fairy-like spectacle of beauty, elegance and grace — a complete work of art accompanied by a live orchestra.
The International Festival Ballet presents one of the most famous ballets in the world, set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — “Swan Lake.”

For many people, Swan Lake is the very synonym of ballet itself.
The romantic fairy tale about the 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 belongs to the standard repertoire of all major ballet companies.
In particular, the Allegro Moderato from the Swan Dances in Act II, choreographed by Lev Ivanov, has become the subject of countless parodies and is therefore widely known as the “Dance of the Four Little Swans”, far beyond the circle of ballet enthusiasts.
In short: a masterpiece by a genius composer — and a production that has captivated audiences for centuries.
“Swan Lake” is brought to the stage by one of the finest classical ballet ensembles, the International Festival Ballet.
In addition, the magnificent stage design by the renowned theatre designer Vyacheslav Okunev — who has worked, among others, for the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan — together with splendid costumes and the boundless elegance and effortless lightness of the ballet ensemble, create a dreamy and fairy-tale interpretation of classical ballet that continues to fascinate audiences more than 100 years after its creation.

 

International Festival Ballet Ensemble
Artistic Director: Elena Antsupova
The International Festival Ballet was founded in 2009 with the aim of representing the finest traditions and spirit of classical ballet.
The International Festival Ballet is an international company that thinks beyond national borders, uniting dancers from more than 20 countries and standing for understanding and coexistence through the poetry of art, music, and dance.
Artistically, the company represents the Russian school of classical ballet in its purest form.
Strict elegance combined with influences of modernity and the 21st century results in a dance performance of the highest level — complemented by magnificent costumes and elaborate stage designs.
In the new season as well, the International Festival Ballet once again presents a very special jewel of classical ballet: “Swan Lake.”
The immortal ballet masterpieces of Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky are known all over the world and enchant audiences of all ages.
Everyone knows the romantic story of Swan Lake with the white and the black swan, which has become a symbol of classical ballet elegance at its highest level.
The centuries-old tale of Sleeping Beauty, from which only the love of a prince can awaken her, has captivated audiences for generations.
And the ballet The Nutcracker offers the perfect winter and Christmas magic for the whole family.
The unique productions of the International Festival Ballet bring beloved classical ballets to life with breathtaking beauty and perfection.
Classical ballet has a long tradition in Eastern Europe, which continues to be cultivated today.
Renowned ballet schools are known for their high standards and discipline, while their students are distinguished by determination, ambition, and extraordinary talent.
The 42 dancers of the International Festival Ballet have all passed through this demanding training — whether at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, the Moscow Choreography Academy, the Ballet School in Ufa or the Ballet Academy in Perm in Russia, the ballet schools of Kyiv or Kharkiv in Ukraine, or the prestigious academies of La Scala in Italy and the Paris Grand Opera in France.
All of them have worked at Europe’s leading ballet theatres and have received numerous awards at international ballet festivals and competitions.
Together, they have become one of the most aesthetically and technically accomplished ballet companies not only in Europe, but — as part of the International Festival Ballet — worldwide.
In addition to absolute technical precision, the ensemble is distinguished by a harmonious overall image and elegant lightness.
The International Festival Ballet shines with a flawless dance performance that leaves audiences breathless.

 

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Artistic Director & Conductor: Normunds Vaicis
The Festival Orchestra was founded by talented musicians from Moldova, Ukraine, and Latvia.
The artistic director and principal conductor is the renowned maestro 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 more forms a central part of the repertoire.
The orchestra has collaborated with renowned ballet ensembles from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
With great success, the Festival Orchestra has performed in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and other European countries.
Despite its relatively small size, it has established itself as one of the finest ballet orchestras in Europe.
In the near future, the orchestra will perform Russian ballet seasons with the International Festival Ballet in Scandinavia, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria.