Poster project: Adam Żebrowski, photo: Murgrabia Photography
Pyotr Tchaikovsky?s Swan Lake makes its long-awaited return to the repertoire of the Teatr Wielki ? Polish National Opera, produced and performed by the Polish National Ballet company. The evergreen classic will premiere in May, choreographed by Krzysztof Pastor and with a new libretto by Paweł Chynowski (the two have previously collaborated on Casanova in Warsaw), featuring stage design by the famous Italian artist Luisa Spinatelli, and conducted by the outstanding ballet conductor Alexei Baklan.
In Pastor?s new interpretation of the piece, the popular ballet fairy tale about a prince and a girl turned into a swan is set in the late 19th century Russian court, and recounts the historical love triangle that developed between the Russian tsarevich Niki (who would later ascend the throne as tsar Nicholas II of Russia), princess Alix of Hesse, and the famous Polish-born ballerina Matylda Krzesińska. The love triangle in which the future monarch is torn between the idealised feeling to Alix and the real-life affair with the dancer provides the narrative axis for the Romantic tale set in Tchaikovsky?s times.
Pastor?s choreography retains the most precious traditional sequences, such as the lyrical white image with the swans or the virtuosopas de deux with the famous 32 foutté. Pastor?s Swan Lake has been developed with a dose of respect to tradition, while also contributing a non-standardised narrative.
The premiere performance will take place on 20 May at 7 pm, followed by repeat performances on 21 May (6 pm), 23-27 May (7 pm), and 28 May (6 pm).
45 minutes before each presentation, the Teatr Wielki ? Polish National Opera will host artist talks featuring special guests. The meetings will be moderated by Maciej Krawiec. Admission to the artist talks is free upon presentation of tickets for the performance.
Ballet in three acts with prologue and epilogue
New libretto: Paweł Chynowski
Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Musical redaction: Paweł Chynowski and Alexei Baklan
CREDITS:
Krzysztof Pastor: choreography
Lew Iwanow: traditional choreography
Simotta Lysy: assistant choreographer (traditional sequences)
Alexei Baklan: conductor (20, 21, 23, 24 May)
Piotr Staniszewski: conductor (25, 26, 27, 28 May)
Luisa Spinatelli: stage design and costumes
Steen Bjarke: lighting design
Paweł Chynowski: libretto
Polish National Ballet Orchestra of the Teatr Wielki ? Polish National Opera
