EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – 24TH JANUARY 2023
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
4****
The visitors to the Empire this week are Bulgaria’s prestigious Varna International Ballet and orchestra, who are in the midst of a debut UK tour with not one but four ballets: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppélia and Giselle. Last night I was lucky enough to witness their production of Swan Lake, one of the most magnificent ballets of all time. I was treated to a beautiful and spellbinding performance of this compelling tale of tragic romance, set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score.
Founded in 1947 and currently celebrating their 75th anniversary, the critically acclaimed Varna International Ballet has been delighting audiences for decades at home and abroad with its performances of excellence.
The ballet, composed by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky in 1875-76, premiered in 1877 under Moscow’s Bolshoi ballet company. Although it was initially a failure in the eyes of most critics, it has since established itself as one of the most popular ballets in the world. Albeit done to death, when performed veraciously, Swan Lake is a treat for ballet newcomers and dedicated fans alike. This rendition of the timeless ballet, choreographed by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Sergey Bobrov, does just that – honouring the art of ballet without making it dull.
The principal soloist Anastasia Lebedyk (born in Ukraine) who performs Odette, was mesmerising. Perhaps the most difficult portrayal in all ballet because of the technically and artistically demanding double role of Odette (White Swan) and Odile (Black Swan). Lebedyk executed both roles impeccably, it’s a potentially heart-breaking portrait of two complex and very different women.
Prince Siegfried, performed by lead soloist Marcello Pelizzoni (born in Italy) is a very talented dancer and the audience celebrated his outstanding solo’s with loud cheers.
For me the true standouts of the evening, were the full complement of swan maidens, a magnificent sight of tutu-clad ballerinas moving in unison on stage, they were faultless, synchronised and disciplined.
Swan Lake is a classic and luckily a lot of people know the story without necessarily having seen it. With no dialogue, the storytelling can sometime be difficult to follow but last night it was very clear and easy to follow.
The orchestra needs commending, they brought to life the ballet with Tchaikovsky’s moving and indelible score, conducted by Peter Tuleshkov. I cannot imagine why Swan Lake was once tepidly received, as Tchaikovsky’s ballets astound every time. It truly was before its time.