“Truly breathtaking” – Moscow City Ballet at Manchester’s Palace Theatre
| 3rd March 2018
Pas de deux tableau
Moscow City Ballet stunned the audience with their portrayal of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
Based on Russian Folklore, Tchaikovsky’s ballet, which is on until Saturday 3 March (2.30pm and 7.30pm), tells the story of Prince Siegfried and his love for Odette who, tricked by the evil Von Rothbart and his daughter Odile, would rather die together than live apart.
The prima ballerina Liliya Orekhova stunned as Odette/ Odile, playing both the Queen of the Swans and the black swan who betrays her. The delicate physique and precise movements such as a fascinating 32 fouettés in Act 2 reveal such a talented dancer who the crowd adored.
Her counterpart the charming Prince Siegfried, performed by Daniil Orlov, perfectly executed the dance by leaps and bounds, and the pairs pas de deux towards the end of Act 2 was sensational.
Von Rothbart, portrayed by Talgat Kozhabaev sent shivers through everyone’s spine. His performance, paired with the cloud of smoke that accompanied him on stage, signified the evil of the play and the interaction between light and dark.
The synchronicity of the swans and cygnets was also truly breathtaking, as the stage filled with white revealed the delightful talents of the dancers.
The music of the Hungarian Sinfonietta Orchestra conducted by Igor Shavruk was felt in your core as the infamous instrumental took over the Palace Theatre. The strings and ivory went in perfect harmony with the dancer’s steps, and the timings were flawless. Also, with the curved roof of the Palace Theatre, the music could be heard strikingly everywhere and just enthralled you in the story.
Odette Act 2
The Moscow City Ballet was founded in 1988 by the Russian choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, with the aim to promote original ideas of the great 19th and 20th Century Russian choreographers.
Under the artistic direction of Lyudmila Nerubashchenko, the legacy of Victor Smirnov-Golonav is clearly preserved with the grip of unique choreography and Russian Classical tradition.
The portrayal of mime, stylised gestures used in ballet to describe narrative, drew the audience in and so gave more meaning than a dance, but as a story of romance and heartbreak. The performers outshone themselves and captured every aspect Tchaikovsky intended.
The costumes by Elisaveta Dvorkina were mesmerizing, with the transition from Odette to Odile being portrayed through the bold black and white dresses. The colours flourished upon the stage and brought through the traditional values of a ballet performance.
The Moscow City Ballet brought a beautiful performance to Manchester, leaving the audience to marvel at their elegance and grace.
The company gave all their energy for this performance and their talent shone through in every Act. Although Swan Lake was originally considered a failure in 1876, the dancers of 2018 proved it is one of the most beautiful ballets to adorn the stage.
Moscow City Ballet will tour throughout the UK, for more details visit www.pmbpresentations.com
For more details on the Palace Theatre visit online website