The Russian State Ballet | Swan Lake

Star Rating: 5/5

March 22nd 2012 The Russian State Ballet - Swan Lake - Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Having visited the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre when it opened in 2010, the Russian State Ballet are not unfamiliar with Irish audiences. And clearly Irish audiences remember them well, with their current run of performances this week being in such demand that organisers have had to arrange a matinée this Saturday 24th, the only performance of Swan Lake that tickets are still available for. Be swift though, as these last chance tickets are sure to be snapped up fast due to the fact that these performances are simply world class.

Featuring the Prima Ballerina of The Bolshoi, Nina Kaptsova, and the Premier Dancer of The Mariinsky, Evgeny Ivanchenko, the classic fairytale ballet tells the story of Odette, Queen of the Swans, transformed along with other beautiful girls into swans by the evil Rothbart. Only able to retake human form at night, Odette captures the heart of Prince Siegfried and the two must conquer Rothbart's machinations to be free to love one another.

Nina Kaptsova is sublime, playing Odette with such grace and control that it feels like she is dancing right down to her fingertips, floating across the stage at moments with incredible pointe work. The contrast then between her performance of Odile is even more entrancing, as she tackles the seduction of Siegfried with pride and ferocity and power.

Evgeny Ivanchenko as Siegfried is equally powerful, and has a seeming weightlessness to his ability, rarely making a sound as his muscular frame lands from leaps and pirouettes of stunning magnitude and poise.

There are too many in the company to single out, the company in all being bewitching from the go, but deserving mentions must go to the Joker, the literally back-bending females in the Spanish Dance and the quartet of Swans who performed with such synchronization that it warped the mind. The timed co-ordination of the entire company is highly commendable, the corps de ballet of Swans being the constant highlight of the performance.

Konstantin Khvatynets conducts Tchaikovsky's score energetically, every swell and undulation culminating perfectly. Our own RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra do the country proud, conjuring goosebumps out of your skin on multiple occasions as they hit every note and chord with the deftness required.

If you have ever wanted to see ballet live, or are an avid fan of dance, or simply engage with world class art then this production could not be more recommended. The standard of ballet by this company is on par with any production you would see in London, New York or any other dance capital in the world, and is more than worth the ticket price. A performance of Cinderella on Friday 23rd also still has tickets available, and should not be missed.

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Thursday 22nd March 2012 | Theatre

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Comments

• eve22

  Sounds amazing!

  Posted 16:18 | Thu 22nd Mar 2012

• Happy Chappy

  I'm going

  Posted 13:27 | Fri 23rd Mar 2012

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