The story of Swan Lake is one of the definitive ballet masterpieces that so many of us dreamed about as young children and what a delight to share this story with the children of today. The music captivates the mind and takes us a wondrous journey from the start. The dancers are phenomenal. From one act to the next the dynamic energy of the music and the dancers grant the audience the power to be transferred into the magical story. Enlightening, dreamy and dramatic, there is beauty and complexity to Swan Lake and this is a certainly a performance not to be missed.

Every season the Colorado Ballet presents a line-up of beautiful choreography that is exceptional and scintillating, and this year is no exception. The Colorado Ballet opens their 56th season with the romantic classic Swan Lake featuring the iconic Pyotr Iiyich Tchaikovsky’s score performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

Swan Lake will follow in-line with the traditional and original choreography created by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with the original waltz in the first act and will include a new fourth act that premiered in 2008. Swan Lake is plenary with awe-inspiring sets that have been updated by former American Ballet Theatre principals Amanda McKerrow, John Gardner and Sandra Brown, Ballet Mistress for Colorado Ballet including intricately detailed costumes. The sets and costumes make the story of Swan Lake more than just a fair-tale but every child’s and even every adult’s fantasy to become one with the story.

“Presented in four acts with two intermissions, Colorado Ballet’s production has the traditional elements that die-hard Swan Lake lovers will enjoy, while adding a few new elements that premiered in 2008 to keep the choreography fresh and vibrant,” said Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet Artistic Director. “For example, most versions of Swan Lake feature a fourth act, but this version features unique choreography in the fourth act that is absolutely brilliant.”

The Swan Lake ballet tells the story of Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with Odette, a beautiful princess cursed by the evil Baron Von Rothbart. Unless the curse is broken by a royal marriage vow, Odette is doomed to forever spend her days as the Swan Queen. The sorcerer and his daughter Odile, work together to destroy their romance in this classical ballet masterpiece.*

According to Boggs, Swan Lake will feature some of the greatest acting audiences will see during a ballet performance, with the lead female dancers portraying both Odette, the princess turned into a swan, and Odile, the evil black swan. “This feat is extremely challenging both psychologically and physically,” said Boggs. “In addition to the stunning choreography, Colorado Ballet’s Swan Lake is huge in size and scope. At one point during the ballet, we will have 27 swans on stage at the same time. The grandeur of this ballet will leave you speechless and it cannot be missed.”*

The Colorado Ballet consistently raises the expectations of their audience with every performance. Swan Lake is a perfect beginning to the 2016-2017 season and the perfect opportunity to share the joyful, dreamy, beautiful and dramatic story with a friend or loved one.

Performance dates and times:
Friday, October 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Friday, October 14, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 21, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $30 to $155. To purchase tickets, visit Colorado Ballet or call 303-837-8888 ext. 2.

About Colorado Ballet
Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 56 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and superior dance in Denver. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet presents more than 50 performances annually. Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy, and Education & Community Engagement programs. Visit www.coloradoballet.org.

*Some information and quotes were gathered from the Colorado Ballet press release.