Music: P. I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography: L. Ivanov and M. Petipa
Edited by: E. Antsupova

A Ballet Dream: Swan Lake
International Festival Ballet presents a spectacle of beauty, elegance, and grace — a masterpiece accompanied by a live orchestra

The International Festival Ballet presents one of the most famous ballets of all time, set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

For many, Swan Lake is synonymous with ballet itself. The romantic tale of Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with the Swan Princess Odette and seeks to free her from the evil spell of the sorcerer Rothbart, tells a timeless story about the power of true love.

This ballet is part of the standard repertoire of all major companies. In particular, the Allegro Moderato from the swan dances in Act II, choreographed by Lev Ivanov, has become world-famous and widely parodied as the “Dance of the Four Little Swans,” making it known far beyond ballet audiences. In short: a masterpiece by a genius composer that has attracted audiences for generations.

Swan Lake is brought to life by one of the leading classical ballet ensembles, the International Festival Ballet. Magnificent stage designs by renowned theatre designer Vyacheslav Okunev, known for his work with the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan, together with stunning costumes and the boundless elegance and lightness of the ensemble, create a dreamlike and magical version of this classical ballet that continues to captivate audiences more than 100 years after its creation.

International Festival Ballet Ensemble

Artistic Director: Elena Antsupova

Founded in 2009, the International Festival Ballet aims to preserve and represent the finest traditions and spirit of classical ballet.

The company brings together dancers from more than 20 nations and represents ballet beyond national borders, promoting understanding and coexistence through the poetry of art, music, and dance. Artistically, the ensemble embodies the pure form of the Russian classical ballet tradition, combining strict elegance with influences of modern dance and the 21st century. The result is a dance performance of the highest caliber, enhanced by magnificent costumes and elaborate stage designs.

In the upcoming season, the International Festival Ballet once again presents a jewel of classical ballet: Swan Lake.

The immortal ballet classics of Tchaikovsky enchant audiences of all ages around the world. The romantic story of the White Swan and the Black Swan has become synonymous with classical ballet elegance at its highest level. Likewise, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker continue to fascinate audiences across generations. The International Festival Ballet brings these beloved works to life in breathtaking beauty and technical perfection.

Classical ballet has a long tradition in Eastern Europe that continues to thrive today. Renowned ballet schools are known for their strict training and exceptional standards. The 42 dancers of the International Festival Ballet have trained at prestigious institutions such as the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, ballet schools in Ufa and Perm, academies in Kyiv and Kharkiv, as well as institutions such as La Scala in Italy and the Paris Opera Ballet School. Many have performed at Europe’s leading ballet theatres and won awards at international competitions. Together, they have become one of the most aesthetically and technically accomplished ballet companies in Europe and beyond. Their performances combine precision, harmony, and elegance, delivering breathtaking dance experiences that captivate audiences worldwide.

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Artistic Director & Conductor: Normunds Vaicis

The Festival Orchestra was founded by talented musicians from Moldova, Ukraine, and Latvia. Its artistic director and chief conductor is the renowned Normunds Vaicis.

The orchestra’s repertoire includes works by Ravel, Debussy, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Fauré, Albeniz, Gounod, and many others. Music from classical ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Don Quixote forms a central part of their performances.

The orchestra has collaborated with renowned ballet companies from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus and has successfully toured in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and other European countries. Despite its relatively modest size, the Festival Orchestra has established itself as one of Europe’s leading ballet orchestras. In the near future, it will accompany performances of the International Festival Ballet across Scandinavia, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria.