THE Russian State Ballet and Opera House presents the compelling legend of tragic romance Swan Lake at York Barbican on Monday night.
The cast will be joined by an orchestra of more than 30 musicians, performing Tchaikovsky's haunting music to accompany such highlights as the Pas de Deux, Pas de Quatre and the iconic Danse des Petits Cygnes.
The story is woven around two girls, Odette and Odile, who resemble each other so closely they can easily be mistaken for the other. Prince Siegfried immediately falls in love with the White Swan princess, Odette, a swan by day but a young lady at night. However, Odette is under a magic spell and can only be saved by a man who declares her as his first and only love. Once this promise is made, she can be set free.
The Russian State Ballet: visiting York Barbican on Monday
He promises his eternal love to Odette but unfortunately he is tricked by Von Rothbart, who casts a spell to make him fall in love with his daughter, Princess Odile, also known as the Black Swan, who closely resembles his love Princess Odette. Mesmerised by her beauty, the prince forgets Odette and promises his love to Odile.
Swan Lake captures the full range of human emotions, from hope to despair, from terror to tenderness, from melancholy to ecstasy, in a production whose visual splendour embraces the palace ballroom and the moonlit lake.
Tickets for the 7.30pm performance are on sale on 0844 854 2757, at yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican box office.
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