Swan Lake! (LAArtsOnline.com)

Swan Lake at The Music Center

Swan Lake!

By Ken Werther

I think it’s safe to say that Swan Lake is one of the most beloved ballets of all time. It is certainly my favorite, and I am counting the hours until The Australian Ballet arrives at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with its new production! Tchaikovsky’s immortal score will be performed by a live orchestra as Australia’s national ballet company presents Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake, a new version that I’m told captures the passion, romance, and magic of the classic ballet in a way that’s both refreshingly original and reverently classical.

Founded in 1962, The Australian Ballet is recognized as one of the world’s major international ballet companies. In 1966, Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn and The Australian Ballet danced Swan Lake on the stage of the brand new Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Now, this legendary dance company returns to present its critically acclaimed re-imagining of this pillar of the classical repertoire…in celebration of The Music Center’s 50th anniversary!

Composed by Tchaikovsky in 1876, Swan Lake was first performed by the Bolshoi Ballet in 1877. There are currently more than 20 versions available on video (ranging from 1966 to 2009) and countless recordings of the score from which to choose. I am the proud owner of at least five of those! This great opportunity to experience this rare and wonderful dance event in Los Angeles is brought to us by Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center. All hail Ms. Kaufman!

Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake plays at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, located at 135 N. Grand Ave, October 9-12.

SIMPLY LIZA! and ON YOUR TOES (LAArtsOnline.com)

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