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It is difficult to believe today that Swan Lake was a failure on its production in 1877 and was not successful until the Petipa/Ivanov version of 1895. Today it is regarded as one of the greatest works in the art of ballet. The magic of Tchaikovsky's music, embodying the love of Prince Siegfried for the enchanted Swan Queen has greatly contributed t o making this the best loved of all classical ballets.
This production, with designs by the late Leslie Hurry, stars Natalia Makarova as Odette-Odile and Anthony Dowell as Prince Siegfried.
Prince Siegfried celebrates his twenty-first birthday; his mother tells him it is time to marry, but he prefers to go hunting. Alone, by a lakeside, he sees a swan that turns to human form. She is an enchanted princess who can be saved only by true love. He promises this, but is tricked by the wicked magician who disguises his own daughter as the swan-maiden. In despair, Siegfried and the swan-maiden leap to death together and their sacrifice destroys the evil power.
"There are dozens of "Swan Lake" recordings to choose from, but start with the Royal Ballet's definitive performance, perhaps the finest preserved on tape. (It's also a favorite among dancers.) Mr. Dowell is Prince Siegfried to Natalia Makarova's Odette/Odile, and together they prove that "Swan Lake" is sexier than anything you'd ever encounter on MTV. More pleasure is found in the choreography itself: Frederick Ashton created the waltz in the first act and the entire fourth act, which features incredible overhead shots. Watch through the end of the curtain calls when Mr. Dowell, suave as ever, catches a bouquet that arrives seemingly out of thin air."
- New York Times
