Today we are highlighting a particularly entertaining flight of fancy famous for its many memorable musical moments and the enchanting, timeless story of the passionate love of a swan - Tchaikovsky's SWAN LAKE. White Swan
What began as a mini-ballet titled THE LAKE OF THE SWANS in 1871 and saw its first, harshly-received production four years later would ultimately became one of the most enduring and everlasting dance pieces of all time, and, now, SWAN LAKE is coming to movie theaters nationwide in full, vivid 3D byway of the vaunted Mariinsky Ballet Theatre and their exceptionally elegant, elaborate and endlessly entertaining staging of the performing arts classic for a special one night only showing on Thursday, June 6.
Originally loosely inspired by the tragic tale of Bavarian King Ludwig II and his love for a finely feathered friend, in 1875, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky set out to fashion a new four-act ballet from what had begun as a much more modest musical exercise following a commission for the Bolshoi Theatre. Utilizing various source elements, many taken from Russian folktales and German fairytales - among them, "The White Duck" and "The Stolen Veil" - Tchaikovsky plotted the story of a pure swan queen, Odette, the White Swan, who was once a human girl, and tells of her romantic entanglement with a handsome prince, Siegfried, as well as the black spell cast over her by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart and his own intended swan queen for Siegfried to take as his bride, Odile, the Black Swan. Romantic, tragic, magical and mysterious, the apparent ease and acuity with which Tchaikovsky plots the tale musically and dramatically is nothing short of expert and goes a long way in making the piece consistently engaging and entertaining throughout. Tchaikovsky crafted a careful and altogether quite curious experience and audiences remain entranced by the persuasive charms of SWAN LAKE - and, given the story is this juicy, with good reason. Love, betrayal and tragedy are met with elegance, magic and mellifluous music unlike any heard in ballet before or since - after all, there is only one SWAN LAKE.
The premiere production of SWAN LAKE in 1877 was a showcase for prima ballerina Pelageya Karpakova, who danced the role of Odette, while Victor Gillert essayed Siegfried, though the ballet was actually initially intended to be debuted by Anna Sobeshchanskaya. Alas, it was not well-received - to put it mildly. Critics complained that the score was near-Wagnerian without the dramatic weight to support such sounds given supposedly "stupid" treatment given to the story, while the choreography, cast, costumes and sets were similarly dismissed. Nevertheless, prima ballerina Sobeshchanskaya eventually did portray Odette soon afterwards in a SWAN LAKE staged by frequent Tchaikovsky collaborator Marius Petipa - premier maitre de ballet of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres - but not before commissioning another composer to write her a new pas de deux, understandably infuriating Tchaikovsky, who demanded that the ballet be presented with his and only his music, her act thereby forcibly encouraging him to compose a new piece in haste, which he did and which has since been incorporated into the final score proper. Obviously, then and now, prima ballerinas can challenge even some Broadway heavyweights and Hollywood superstars for the top diva prize and even a master like Tchaikovsky was not spared from such wanton whims! Yet, when she took the stage, all was evidently forgiven.
Subsequent to the original Reisinger and Petipa stagings, modern choreographers such as George Balanchine, John Neumeier and Matthew Bourne have made SWAN LAKE their own, while it has remained a staple of repertories like the American Ballet Theater, and, of course, the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre. Then, there is Darren Aronofsky's 2010 feature film BLACK SWAN, with Natalie Portman in her Academy Award-winning performance, at turns, as both Odette and Odine. Of special note, the Fathom presentation of Tchaikovsky's SWAN LAKE by the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre was filmed by the Cameron Pace Group, responsible for the 3D elements employed in AVATAR, HUGO, LIFE OF PI and many more 3D extravaganzas. Also, Fathom's presentation of SWAN LAKE will also be available in 2D at select venues for those not wishing to partake in the full 3D experience.
Enchanted forests to elaborate palace soirees; intimate romantic moments juxtaposed with epic battles for power; the allure of pure, virginal love with that of something more dangerous, sexier and filled with dark magic - SWAN LAKE is all of these things and much more.
This Thursday, take the leap!
Tchaikovsky's SWAN LAKE in 3D as presented by the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre will be available in Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide on Thursday, June 6. More information is available at the official site here.
Black Swan
So, today, let's look at some of the most memorable SWAN LAKE-related moments in pop culture and the performing arts since its stormy debut nearly a hundred and fifty years ago and take a look behind the scenes at the new Mariinsky Ballet 3D presentation, as well.
First up, here is the trailer for Fathom's presentation of Tchaikovsky's SWAN LAKE In 3D on Thursday, June 6.
Mariinsky director Valery Gergiev discusses the 3D adaptation of the ballet in this exciting new presentation.
Whet your appetite for June 6 with the Pas de Quatre from SWAN LAKE as performed by the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre a few years ago.
Take a look behind the scenes of the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre.
Enjoy this four-part documentary on SWAN LAKE, including an inside look at the most famous Mariinsky and Royal Ballet productions.
Next, let's take a look as some previous full productions of SWAN LAKE in anticipation of next week.
The American Ballet Theater production.
The Teatre Alla Scalia production.
The Ballet de l'Opera de Paris production.
The Kirov Ballet production.
Last, check out the trailer for Darren Aronofsky's BLACK SWAN, starring Natalie Portman.
So, what aspect of SWAN LAKE is the most beloved by you? Is it the magical, fairy tale atmosphere? The emotional, romantic heroine and her dashing prince? The beauty, love, magic and somehow transformative and even transcendent tragedy incurred by all? 1871 until now, SWAN LAKE swims on.
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