Swan Lake, Boston Ballet, Citizens Opera House, Boston, through March 16. 617-695-6950 or BostonBallet.org
As an iconic part of classical ballet repertoire, "Swan Lake" continues to be a challenge for any contemporary choreographer not surprisingly, Boston Ballet artistic director Mikko Nissinen combined tradition — namely the choreography of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov — and added choreography of his own in his reshaped 2014 edition. Now Boston Ballet returns to this Tchaikovsky — scored masterpiece at the Citizens Opera House.
The latest edition once again demonstrates not only the very high caliber of principal dancers but also the remarkable strength of the company corps. Even ballet aficionados will be thrilled by the freshness and excellence of the current revival.
Nissinen added a short prologue to the four act ballet — one that foreshadows the blossoming romance between Prince Sigfried and the beautiful swan Odette. As always, the handsome young prince is given a crossbow as a present on reaching the age of twenty-one. At Swan Lake — so named because it had been formed by the tears of parents crying for their daughters who had been turned into swans — the prince becomes entranced with the same swan from the ballet's prologue. His attentive mother — intent on matching him up as soon as possible — invites six eligible princesses to the castle to parade in front of her son. While Sigfried dances and briefly socializes with the six out of respect for his mother, he refuses to pair up with any of the princesses.
In the pivotal third act, the menacing sorcerer Von Rothbart tricks Sigfried into thinking that his daughter Odile is the perfect match. At the same time Odette is seen moving sadly at a window above. Eventually the prince realizes his error and joins up with Odette only to finally pursue her into the Lake after vanquishing the sorcerer.
Even though the ballet stretches over two hours and thirty-five minutes in length with one intermission, audiences should not be looking at their watches. Nissinen and his very talented dancers prove amazing in their technique as they balance speed and spirit in his smartly streamlined version. Sangmin Lee makes an elegant prince, and Viktorina Kapitonova has the majesty of Odette and the enticing air of Odile (casts alternate throughout the run). Lee leaps with good height and makes wide turns in his solo sequences. Kapitonova captures the poetry of Odette and the bewitching moves of Odile. Lee and Kapitonova display strong chemistry during their dramatic moments as well as their romantic parings. Lasha Khozashvili moves with great menace as Von Rothbart.
As in the 2014 edition, there is an embarrassment of riches in the many distinctive configurations. Look for very impressive efforts by Lia Cirio and Daniel R. Durrett in the third act pas de cinq. Equally vivid are the castle ballroom sequences entitled Spanish Dance, Czardas, Neapolitan and Mazurka — all very colorfully attired by costume designer Robert Perdziola. Most of all, there is the stunning dance by the swans themselves — especially on their initial entry and final exit. The Boston Ballet Orchestra, under the inspired conducting of Mischa Santora, does full justice to both the reflective and rousing sections of Tchaikovsky's moving score.
Boston Ballet is slated to bring Nissinen's "Swan Lake" on tour to Los Angeles' Music Center in June. This first rate revival deserves immediate attention from local ballet buffs before other cities delight in its many treasures.