Swan Lake is arguably one of the world’s two most well-known and beloved ballet productions of all time. (The Nutcracker is the other).
Since its debut in 1877, this timeless masterpiece composed by Pyotr Ilyich has captivated audiences young and old with its haunting beauty, emotional depth and unparalleled artistry.
For the corps and principal dancers, it’s one of the most physically demanding of all ballets.
The iconic ballet, last performed by the Oklahoma City Ballet in 2017, will be performed over two weekends this month at the Civic Center Music Hall. The two-weekend run will include six performances, plus a sensory-friendly performance in collaboration with AutismOklahoma (AautismOklahoma.org).
This year, Oklahoma City Director of School and Studio Company Racheal Nye is choreographing Swan Lake, adapted from the reimagined ballet as choreographed by Marius Petipa and his assistant, Lev Ivanov, following Tchaikovsky's death in 1893. The ballet will feature 24 swans as part of the corps de ballet.
“Swan Lake is one of the most physically demanding ballets for both the corps and principal dancers, as it famously ends with the Black Swan completing 32 consecutive whip turns, or fouettés,” observed the noted choreographer, who learned Swan Lake and other classical ballets directly from some of the top teachers in the world.
“Swan Lake has been twisted and turned throughout the years, and I am excited to expand the story based on historical pantomime,” Racheal added. “I hope all of our dancers feel like they are part of a special process that showcases the lineage of where ballet is and where it is going. Swan Lake is certainly a love story, but also a very moving story of strength and sacrifice.”
The sets and costumes for the production are on rental from Ballet West, based in Salt Lake City. The Swan costumes were made famous when popular American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift donned the tutu in her 2014 music video “Shake it Off,” and Oklahoma City Ballet will be using the very same outfits.
Oklahoma City Ballet Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye describes Swan Lake as “the embodiment of classical ballet, showcasing the artistry, precision and emotional depth that define the art form.
“For the Swans, it is a grueling test of endurance and unity, requiring not only technical excellence, but also a profound connection to the story and music,” he added. “This production highlights the dedication and discipline of our dancers as they embody one of the most iconic works in ballet history, bringing its timeless beauty to life for our audience.”
Jo Lynne Jones, Oklahoma City Ballet’s John Kirkpatrick Executive Director, encourages individuals, couples and families—whether they’re steadfast ballet aficionados or have never even been to a live ballet performance before—to attend one of the performances scheduled this month.
Especially one of the shows scheduled for Valentine’s Day weekend, she said, noting that “it’s the perfect date night, but also great for families.”
In partnership with AutismOklahoma, a sensory-friendly performance of Swan Lake is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. The sensory-friendly performances are for children and adults with sensory sensitivities or for anyone who may benefit from being in a more relaxed environment.
Changes to this performance will include lower volume of music; adjusted house lighting; no pyrotechnics or strobe lights; and very relaxed theater rules, allowing guests to use electronic devices, talk and leave their seats as needed.
What: Oklahoma City Ballet production of Swan Lake
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-8 and Feb. 14-15; 2 p.m. Feb. 9 and 16; sensory-friendly version 2 p.m. Feb. 15
Where: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker
Admission: Single tickets range from $29 to $128 and are available through Oklahoma City Ballet by calling 405.848.TOES (8673) or the Civic Center box office at 405.297.2264, and online at www.okcballet.org. Tickets to the sensory-family performance on Feb. 15 are deeply discounted
FYI
- Swan Lake will be performed by Oklahoma City Ballet’s 26 professional dancers, 35 members of OKCBII and about a dozen students from the Oklahoma City Ballet Yvonne Chouteau School.
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote the musical score for Swan Lake, which was largely inspired by German and Slavic folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse.
- The ballet tells the love story of Prince Siegfried, who refuses to choose a noble bride. On a hunting trip, he encounters a flock of swans and falls madly in love with the Swan Queen Odette, swearing his allegiance and undying love to her.
- Swan Lake was originally received as an artistic failure. Tchaikovsky’s first ballet, critics called the music too complicated and symphonic for ballet and described the choreography as unimaginative and forgettable.
- The choreographer of the original production of Swan Lake was Julius Reisinger (Václav Reisinger). The ballet was premiered by the Bolshoi Ballet on March 4, 1877, at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
Editor's Note: Jana Carson's photos were taken backstage and during dress rehearsal for the Oklahoma City Ballet's 2017 production of Swan Lake, as rehearsals had not yet begun at press time.
“Swan Lake is the embodiment of classical ballet, showcasing the artistry, precision and emotional depth that define the art form."