Ballet Review: Swan Lake Is Stunning and Romantic

Swan Lake is the quintessential ballet. Tchaikovsky’s score is adored by even non-fans of classical music for it immediate ability to induce sentiment. From the dreamy composition of Act 2 or the fierce orchestrations of Act 3, you feel surrounded by this ballet. Like in its DNA is an intrinsic,innate code of emotions and likability. 

First, ABT’s rendition of Swan Lake is like a giant display of beauty. Yet, beauty at its purest. The kind of beauty that strikes your heart, and, for whatever reason, become wordless. You try to explain how the emotions and awe you feel at seeing the ethereal sweep the stage, but you cannot. Why? Because certain, rare beauties are too rich to be described. They, must be experienced. As you see the most Heavenly, strongest women leap across one of the biggest stages of the world, you are moved. The costumes by Zack Brown are so detailed, if you were told that thousands of hands sewed one singular dress, you would believe it. The way they glisten as each woman sculpts their body into a swan is beyond human. Moreover, I enjoyed the subtle difference in costuming between the protagonist and the other swans. It is as if you knew she was a trapped queen, but the other swans were trapped princesses. Still, there was a quiet glory of Odette/Odile played by Hee Seo.

As I have probably hinted above, it is the women of Swan Lake that make it an ode to feminine beauty. The firm graces of their pirouettes or radiance of their allegros seem to be a love letter to women from women. As I watch Seo practically transform her body into a swan, I understand why little girls dream to be a ballerina. There is an inherent elegance to that world, and the ABT company completely shows it. Act 2 is one of the lushest moments of Swan Lake because the 30 or so swans that cross the stage make you think your are watching lake. The dim lighting and clarinet playing, gives a pretty vibe of sensuality.

When you think sensuality, it seems aggressive and sexual. Yet, seeing the body be transformed into a living sculpture makes you respect it as a sacred temple. Lev Ivanov, Kevin McKenzie, and Marius Petipa have created choreography that honors the body.  Moreover, they have orchestrated moves that ill the vast sets of Zack Brown. which is perfection. The moodiness of the sets in playing with the light and dark sentiments of the ballets elevates the fable quality of its tale: Love Conquers All, Even Death.

The end of Swan Lake is a wondrous representation of love and life. As the lovers’ spirits kiss within the sun, you are reminded that love and life never ends. Moreover, the fact that they are, literally, in the sun is symbolic that light never dies and will always protect the love it stems. What a beautiful message.

For more information and tickets on the ABT’s current ballet season Click Here.