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FREE-FLOWING 'SWAN': KIROV BALLET BRINGS CLASSIC TO AUDITORIUM
By Betty Mohr Daily Southtown theater critic
Chicago Daily Southtown, IL
Nov 1 2006
When rehearsals for "Swan Lake" were first performed in 1876 in Moscow,
the ballet wasn't received with much fanfare.
It was considered a dismal failure.
" Click to enlarge image
Diana Vishneva portrays Odette in the Kirov Ballet version of "Swan
Lake," at the Auditorium Theatre through Sunday.
The structure of composer Peter Tchaikovsky's music was so different
and so revolutionary that the conductor thought it was too complex
and too difficult for anyone to dance to it. For years, the ballet
was considered unworthy of production.
It wasn't until 1895, when the choreography was changed, that
"Swan Lake" became a success. Choreographer Lev Ivanov made changes
to include the corps de ballet into the drama of the dance, and
Tchaikovsky's lyrical symphonic music was interwoven with a new ballet
style to create an exalted union with the music. That integration
became central to all versions of the ballet that followed.
There have been many re-stagings and revisions to "Swan Lake" since,
including Matthew Bourne's contemporary take on the classic ballet
-- which revolves around the British Royal family and centers on an
insecure prince whose fascination with a male swan leads to his early
death -- that was seen in Chicago last year.
But the Kirov Ballet will bring a classical version of "Swan Lake"
to Chicago's Auditorium Theatre tonight to Sunday with a full 66-piece
orchestra.
"It is the traditional 'Swan Lake' with which most people are
familiar," said Sergei Danilian, the Armenian-born (which at the time
was part of the Soviet Union) tour manager who is bringing the ballet
to Chicago.
It's been 16 years since the Kirov performed in Chicago, Danilian said,
because of the difficulty of getting a venue for "Swan Lake."
"Chicago is one of the most important cities in any tour we consider,
but up until now, we couldn't come together to present it at the
Auditorium, which is the best venue for ballet."
The Auditorium had been closed during previous years of Kirov tours
because of problems over the landmark theater's ownership and its
extensive renovation.
"We're thrilled to finally bring the Kirov to Chicago," Danilian
said. "We're bringing the traditional version of 'Swan Lake' staged
at the end of the 19th century, though most don't know that it was
changed in the 1950s.
"The original 1895 production had a tragic ending in which the two
lovers are not reunited. This 'Swan Lake,' which we are presenting,
is the one recognized the world over for its romantic lyricism and
its grand perfection."
The classical "Swan Lake," which is the most popular of Russian
ballets, tells the story of young prince Siegfried, who falls in love
with princess Odette. She is human at night, but is turned into a
white swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart by day. The evil spell
can be broken only if the prince pledges eternal love to her.
That becomes difficult, though, when the sorcerer creates an evil
mirror image of Odette.
Danilian said "Swan Lake" not only has overcome many changes to its
original production, but the Kirov Ballet also has survived many
political changes in Russia.
"The most difficult time was during the Russian Revolution of 1917,
but the ballet troupe survived. During the Cold War, the company
once again had problems because it's best dancers -- Rudolf Nureyev,
Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov -- defected to the West. But
since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Kirov has been experiencing
a strong resurgence.
"The Kirov is the oldest and best ballet company in the world. That's
because of its very high standards," Danilian said. "The company
keeps its traditions from generation to generation because the retired
dancers train the new dancers to keep their dance in perfect harmony
with the music."
If you go ...
What: "Swan Lake"
When: 7:30 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and
2 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress
Parkway, Chicago
Tickets: $30 to $125
Information: Call (312) 902-1500 or visit www.Ticketmaster.com
By Betty Mohr Daily Southtown theater critic
Chicago Daily Southtown, IL
Nov 1 2006
When rehearsals for "Swan Lake" were first performed in 1876 in Moscow,
the ballet wasn't received with much fanfare.
It was considered a dismal failure.
" Click to enlarge image
Diana Vishneva portrays Odette in the Kirov Ballet version of "Swan
Lake," at the Auditorium Theatre through Sunday.
The structure of composer Peter Tchaikovsky's music was so different
and so revolutionary that the conductor thought it was too complex
and too difficult for anyone to dance to it. For years, the ballet
was considered unworthy of production.
It wasn't until 1895, when the choreography was changed, that
"Swan Lake" became a success. Choreographer Lev Ivanov made changes
to include the corps de ballet into the drama of the dance, and
Tchaikovsky's lyrical symphonic music was interwoven with a new ballet
style to create an exalted union with the music. That integration
became central to all versions of the ballet that followed.
There have been many re-stagings and revisions to "Swan Lake" since,
including Matthew Bourne's contemporary take on the classic ballet
-- which revolves around the British Royal family and centers on an
insecure prince whose fascination with a male swan leads to his early
death -- that was seen in Chicago last year.
But the Kirov Ballet will bring a classical version of "Swan Lake"
to Chicago's Auditorium Theatre tonight to Sunday with a full 66-piece
orchestra.
"It is the traditional 'Swan Lake' with which most people are
familiar," said Sergei Danilian, the Armenian-born (which at the time
was part of the Soviet Union) tour manager who is bringing the ballet
to Chicago.
It's been 16 years since the Kirov performed in Chicago, Danilian said,
because of the difficulty of getting a venue for "Swan Lake."
"Chicago is one of the most important cities in any tour we consider,
but up until now, we couldn't come together to present it at the
Auditorium, which is the best venue for ballet."
The Auditorium had been closed during previous years of Kirov tours
because of problems over the landmark theater's ownership and its
extensive renovation.
"We're thrilled to finally bring the Kirov to Chicago," Danilian
said. "We're bringing the traditional version of 'Swan Lake' staged
at the end of the 19th century, though most don't know that it was
changed in the 1950s.
"The original 1895 production had a tragic ending in which the two
lovers are not reunited. This 'Swan Lake,' which we are presenting,
is the one recognized the world over for its romantic lyricism and
its grand perfection."
The classical "Swan Lake," which is the most popular of Russian
ballets, tells the story of young prince Siegfried, who falls in love
with princess Odette. She is human at night, but is turned into a
white swan by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart by day. The evil spell
can be broken only if the prince pledges eternal love to her.
That becomes difficult, though, when the sorcerer creates an evil
mirror image of Odette.
Danilian said "Swan Lake" not only has overcome many changes to its
original production, but the Kirov Ballet also has survived many
political changes in Russia.
"The most difficult time was during the Russian Revolution of 1917,
but the ballet troupe survived. During the Cold War, the company
once again had problems because it's best dancers -- Rudolf Nureyev,
Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov -- defected to the West. But
since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Kirov has been experiencing
a strong resurgence.
"The Kirov is the oldest and best ballet company in the world. That's
because of its very high standards," Danilian said. "The company
keeps its traditions from generation to generation because the retired
dancers train the new dancers to keep their dance in perfect harmony
with the music."
If you go ...
What: "Swan Lake"
When: 7:30 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and
2 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress
Parkway, Chicago
Tickets: $30 to $125
Information: Call (312) 902-1500 or visit www.Ticketmaster.com