Bolshoi ballerina to join Queensland Ballet for ‘Swan Lake’ in May

For the first time in many years, Queensland Ballet brings to the stage one of the world’s most-loved ballets when Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake opens at the Lyric Theatre on May 5.

Artistic Director Li Cunxin said he is thrilled to have the opportunity to present a work as timeless and as unforgettable as Swan Lake and felt the timing was perfect for the company to perform this classic tale.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest ballets of all time, Cunxin describes Swan Lake as traditional ballet at its most heartbreaking and glorious.

“Swan Lake is our blockbuster ballet for 2017 and I’m particularly pleased to be presenting the magical choreography of Ben Stevenson’s production for this season,” Cunxin said. “I’m also delighted to announce that our incredible dancers will be joined for some of this season by internationally renowned Russian ballerina Evgenia Obraztsova, principal with the Bolshoi Ballet.”

Cunxin continued, “We are so very privileged to have a ballerina of Evgenia’s calibre guesting with us. She is acclaimed and respected the world over for her flawless technique and wonderful artistry. Evgenia is in demand as a guest dancer for many of the world’s most respected ballet companies in all the leading classical ballet roles so we’re very grateful that she will be joining us for two performances in the role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.”

Obraztsova is replacing Alina Cojocaru, who had been previously announced as a guest artist for the May 9 and 11 evening performances. Explaining why Cojocaru would not be performing, Cunxin stated “personal reasons” and that the company hopes to have her visit once again.

Overall, Queensland Ballet promises Swan Lake audiences will be transfixed from the very opening bars of Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score. They’ll be transported into the magical fairytale world and whisked away in a whimsical flight of swans, cygnets and fluttering tutus.

Set in a majestic kingdom, the story of Swan Lake follows the ultimately tragic love of a noble Prince and his bewitched maiden.

“A favourite of audiences, choreographers and dancers alike, Swan Lake is one of those ballets that every ballet lover wants to see and every classically-trained dancer wants to perform,” Cunxin said. “Every classical ballerina I’ve ever known dreams of performing the dual roles of Odette and Odile (White Swan and Black Swan), and the role of Prince Siegfried is the ultimate role of male ballet dancers.”

Cunxin reminisced, “I first danced the role of Prince Siegfried under the direction of Ben Stevenson in 1985 for the Houston Ballet and also had the privilege of the great Margot Fonteyn coaching my wife Mary and I for this ballet. The moment I hear the first strains of Tchaikovsky, I am transported back to the studio with Ben and Margot as I wrapped my mind and body around the demanding role of Seigfried, such wonderful memories.”

He continued, “Ben is a master storyteller and brings his own special magic to Swan Lake. It is a production close to his heart, and one that audiences must not miss. We’re so pleased that Ben will be travelling to Brisbane to stage the production as he is truly part of the Queensland Ballet family.”

Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake opens at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre on May 5. 
For more information and tickets, visit www.queenslandballet.com.au or call 136 246.

Photo (top): Queensland Ballet’s Yanela Pinera. Photo by Harold David. Photo (left): Evgenia Obraztsova. Photo by Svetlana Postoenko. Photo (right): Li Cunxin and Janie Parker in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake. Photo by Ken Duncan.