For the first time in six years, Swan Lake is headed to Cincinnati Music Hall
On Feb. 13, the Cincinnati Ballet will begin its presentation of Swan Lake at Music Hall. The Peter Tchaikovsky production will continue through Feb. 21 featuring the classic choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with additional choreography provided by Kirk Peterson.
“Swan Lake is the quintessential classical ballet, the crown jewel of all the ballets that are considered the classics,” President and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet Debbie Brant says. “It is extremely beautiful but also difficult. It is an amazing combination of a great story, incredible choreography and beautiful music.”
The performance will also feature hundreds of costumes designed by Annie Peacock Warner that were handmade by seamstresses within the Cincinnati Ballet facility and live music performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director Alyssa Wang. “It is worth coming just to see her in action honestly,” Brant says. This is Wang’s first year with the Cincinnati Ballet.
“[The music] is not just beautiful, but it is very emotional,” Brant says. “The story is very strong. There is a lot of narrative. There is a lot of pantomime. I think the timing couldn’t be better in terms of [this being] a love story. Also, just the level of difficulty for the female dancers, not just the lead but the corps, is gorgeous.”
The Cincinnati Ballet last performed Swan Lake in Feb. 2020 at the Aronoff Center. This new production will mark the first time the company has staged the two-hour romantic tragedy in six years.
A majority of the shows are performed at 7:30 p.m., but the Ballet will present a handful of matinees are a couple throughout the weekends that have earlier afternoon start times. “[People] love seeing their friends at the shows,” Brant says. “In addition to experiencing the art, I know that the Cincinnati community just loves being together for performances.”
For more information and details, please visit the Cincinnati Ballet website.
