Over a century after its creation, ‘Swan Lake’ remains the most performed and, for many, the most beautiful ballet in the world. It is an immortal fairytale about love and the eternal struggle between light and darkness, symbolised by the black and white swans, Odile and Odette. More than 100 performers and a live symphony orchestra bring to life the love between Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette. ‘Swan Lake’, with its unforgettable music by Tchaikovsky, is undoubtedly one of the most romantic tales ever set to music. This masterpiece combines all the rich elements of the 19th-century romantic ballet, and is one of the pinnacles of classical dance as we know it today.
1895 was a milestone in the history of ballet: it was the year in which ‘Swan Lake’ was presented in a revised version by the renowned choreographers Petipa and Ivanov and the composer Tchaikovsky. The classic of all classics had been created. Ballet would never be the same again.
‘Swan Lake’ tells the romantic tale of the love between Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette. Odette, queen of the swans, is enchanted by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart along with other young maidens. They live as swans and can only take on human form around midnight. This enchantment can only be broken by true, pure love. Prince Siegfried falls in love at first sight when he sees the young Odette and will do anything to lift the curse. However, Von Rothbart cannot let this happen and comes up with a terrible plan to keep the two lovers apart.
Event & Venue data
Tuesday 23 april 2019- 8 PM Capitole Ghent
Wednesday 24 april 2019 - 8 PM Stadsschouwburg Antwerp
Thursday 25 april 2019 - 8 PM Stadsschouwburg Antwerp
Friday 26 april 2019- 8 PM Capitole Ghent
Saturday 27 april 2019 - 8 PM Forest National
Sunday 28 april 2019 - 3 PM Capitole Ghent
Sunday 28 april 2019 - 7 PM Capitole Ghent
Monday 29 april 2019 - 8 PM Stadsschouwburg Antwerp
Act I: There is a party at the castle to celebrate Prince Siegfried’s birthday. The prince is carefree and wholeheartedly enjoying the party. However, the prince’s mother demands that he choose a girl to marry at the next ball.
Act II: While out hunting, the prince and his retinue come across a lake of swans and they plan to shoot them. Odette, the queen of the swans, intervenes just in time and explains to the prince that they are under enchantment. The swans are actually young women, and take on their true form every night. The prince falls immediately in love with Odette and the two perform a pas de deux. Siegfried invites Odette to the next ball, hoping to marry her. Alas, the enchantment compels her to return to the lake as a swan once more.
Act III: At the castle, Siegfried and his mother meet six girls who hope to win the prince’s love. Rothbart has brought his daughter, Odile, and uses his magic to make her look like Odette. Odile dances a second pas de deux with the prince. The prince declares his love for her and the sorcerer and his daughter leave the party triumphantly.
Act IV: Odette and the other swans are in despair at the lake. Odette is heartbroken and does not want to see Siegfried ever again. Prince Siegfried tells Odette of the sorcerer’s treachery. At that moment, the sorcerer causes a storm and the two lovers drown together in the lake.
With the support of the Belgian Federal Government’s Tax Shelter programme Casa Kafka Pictures Isabelle Molhant Casa Kafka Pictures Tax Shelter empowered by Belfius