Dubai is going to get a taste of Tchaikovsky this May when a performance of Swan Lake comes to town. The ballet will be performed by the Moscow Royal Ballet company at Dubai World Trade Centre in a performance organised by Alchemy Project, although dates for the show were not disclosed at the time of going to press.
Swan Lake is one of the most famous ballets in the classical repertoire, and a must-see for any dance aficionado, with music composed by Tchaikovsky. The Moscow Royal Ballet company, founded in 1997, has performed the piece to sold-out audiences in 15 countries worldwide, telling the timeless story of a princess turned into a swan by an evil magician.
“Swan Lake is the most famous ballet musical romance, known to many people and exciting for everyone,” said Mac S. Far, founder of Alchemy Project, which last month brought Cirque Du Soleil’s Dralion show to the city.
“There is a gap in forms of family entertainment in the UAE, and we hope campaigns such as Swan Lake, and Cirque Du Soleil [are] able to fill this gap. Swan Lake by Royal Moscow Ballet will be with us for a few shows, which undoubtedly, will be sold out. The beauty of this show will leave an indelible memory, and an amazing experience in the mind of all the attendees,” he added.
BOX: What’s Swan Lake about?
The ballet is a classic, fairy tale tutus-and pointes performance, perfect for young and old and those unfamiliar with ballet. Odette, a princess, is turned into a swan by the evil magician Von Rothbart, but by night, she regains her human form. When Prince Sigfried goes hunting at night on his birthday, he meets the enchanted princess and falls in love with her. A declaration of love from one who has never loved before can break the spell, but before Sigfried can do this, he’s tricked. In comes Odile -- the black swan, danced by the same ballerina as Odette. Odile is the daughter of Von Rothbart, who looks just like Odette but has a bit of a seductive streak — and guess who our Prince declares his love for? Poor Odette. Her only option is to end her life. Sound melodramatic? It is — fabulously so. Film fans will remember Black Swan, the 2010 Oscar-winning take on the ballet, in which Natalie Portman, playing a prima ballerina taking on the lead role of Odette the swan, suffers a mental breakdown trying to personify the Odile role too.
Don’t miss it
For access to pre-sale tickets from April 2, register at SwanLakeDubai.com; public ticket sales take place from April 5. Tickets will be available exclusively on platinumList.ae.
