Russian National Ballet to Bring SWAN LAKE to Spencer Theater, 1/30

A sparkling jewel of the Russian National Ballet Theatre classic repertoire is "Swan Lake," a tale of love and heartache performed the world over. Premiering in 1877, the last of the great 19th-century Russian ballets, it is a work of emotional intensity, inventive choreography and glorious music. And because the principal roles of the two leading swan characters are typically danced by the same ballerina, it is a ballet that features the most challenging and desired part for any female to dance in the entire classical repertoire.

Featuring a voluptuous score and choreography by the masterful 19th century team of Tchaikovsky-Petipa-Ivanov, the ballet's dreamy narrative is simple enough: Prince Siegfried falls in love with the ethereal Odette, the innocent white swan queen. Trouble threatens, as Odette falls under the mind control of the evil sorcerer Rotbart. Thanks to his malevolent machinations, Odette and her fellow swans are forever at his mercy; the only thing that will break his wicked spell is finding true love.

When rambling through the forest and first encountering Odette, the prince, who is under intense pressure to marry, finds himself utterly astonished by her beauty. He swears his love to Odette, who tells him of her plight with the controlling sorcerer Rotbart. The prince expresses his love and promises he'll be back later to release her from the evil spell. But before they meet again, the sorcerer Rotbart has his daughter, the black swan Odylle, who looks remarkably like Odette, seduce the prince with her destructive beauty, by which she tricks him into declaring undying love for her!

Oh, poor prince:only after he mistakenly declares that love does he realizes the terrible mistake he has made! And what will happen to his sweet Odette? Will she remain Rotbart's captive forever? Come and see as the splendor of "Swan Lake" is shared in all its glory at the Spencer Theater at 7 p.m. Friday, January 30. Excellent seats are available for this sumptuous two-act romance from $39-$72. Call the Spencer Box Office at 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com for tickets.

More than 50 star dancers with the renowned Russian National Ballet bring this 19th century fairy-tale ballet to life! The company, which first formed in the late 80s with principal dancers from the Soviet Union's most revered ballet institutions, is under the artistic direction of the legendary Bolshoi principal dancer Elena Radchenko, who has served as the Theatre company's artistic director since 1994.

Sit back and enjoy this grand, expressive tradition which is the Russian National Ballet! And know that the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts is the only world-class venue around that can bring such enchantment to life up close and personal! Friday, January 30 at 7 p.m. www.spencertheater.com.