The ballet 'Swan Lake' will premiere at the AKM

The premiere of "Swan Lake," one of the world's most beloved classical ballets, will take place this evening at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM). Featuring Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's captivating music and impressive choreography, the timeless work promises to offer audiences a romantic, dramatic, and epic fairy tale.

Tchaikovsky's four-act ballet, "Swan Lake," composed in 1875-76 and performed for the first time at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow on March 4, 1877, with choreography by Julius Reisinger, was later performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on January 15, 1895, with original choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. This new version was a resounding success, establishing Swan Lake as one of the most important works in the world ballet repertoire. Many contemporary ballet companies also use this version as their basis. The contrast between the roles of the "White Swan" (Odette) and the "Black Swan" (Odile) is one of the most striking elements of this ballet. Combining romantic and dramatic elements, the work portrays the conflict between good and evil, the redemptive power of love, and the unchangeability of fate.

'Swan Lake', which was performed for the first time in our country by the Ankara State Opera and Ballet on October 29, 1965 with the choreography of Dame Ninette de Valois, was performed for the first time by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet with the interpretation of Güloya Gürelli on March 14, 1971 at the Maksim Stage.

Based on Petipa and Ivanov's versions, the ballet "Swan Lake," choreographed by Ricardo Amarante and accompanied by Tchaikovsky's emotional and majestic music, promises unforgettable moments for the audience. İbrahim Yazıcı conducts the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Set design is by Ferhat Karakaya, costume design is by Serdar Başbuğ, and lighting design is by Ahmet Defne.

'IT IS DEFINITELY A WORK THAT ALL OUR VIEWERS MUST WATCH'

Berfu Elmas, who will portray the role of the white swan Odette, said in a statement before the premiere, "We, as a team, are very excited about the premiere of Swan Lake. It's a very difficult piece, but it's also a work that every classical dancer, every classical ballerina, should dance. And it's definitely a must-see for all our audiences. It transports everyone to a completely different world from the moment the stage opens. It's both technically challenging and incredibly enjoyable, thanks to Tchaikovsky's score. I feel very lucky to be dancing it. I'm so excited to share this exciting and beautiful piece with our audience."

'DANCING IN THIS ROLE IS A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AND A HAPPINESS'

Batur Büklü, who plays the role of 'Prince Siegfried', said, "We will be performing Swan Lake at the Atatürk Cultural Center. I am playing the character of Prince Siegfried in this play. I am very excited, dancing this play here is very special for me. My partner and I have a very good rapport on stage. We are with both the white swan and the black swan, we have danced together for many years. And having the opportunity to be on the same stage with Meriç Sümen is a special pride and joy for me. We are waiting for our audience, we will present them with a beautiful visual feast. We are very ready as a team, we had an intensive preparation process of two and a half months. We will do our best. It is very exciting for me. When I entered the Atatürk Cultural Center, I was in the children's ballet. I was 12, 13 years old. I grew up watching the dancers dancing at the old Atatürk Cultural Center. There were many good dancers that I looked up to, and dancing this role today is a great responsibility and a great pleasure for me. Tomorrow my mother will come to see the performance, “It also excites me,” he said.

SUBJECT OF THE WORK

The work tells the story of young Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with Princess Odette. The evil sorcerer Baron von Rothbart casts a spell that transforms Odette and her friends into swans. They spend the day swimming together in a lake, only to return to human form at night. Only true love can break this spell, and Rothbart will use all his might to prevent it.

The work, which will premiere tonight, will continue to meet art lovers on the AKM stage throughout the season.