Tonight at 8.pm in Venetian Theatre, the internationally acclaimed St Petersburg Ballet is coming to Macau, presenting their full-length classic performance of the world’s most famous ballet – Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
Swan Lake is the classic love story between Prince Siegfried and the Swan Princess Odette. The tale of lovers divided by the villainous sorcerer Rothbart, this is classical ballet at its best.
Founded in 1994, the famed 60 member company of St Petersburg Ballet, led by prima ballerina Irina Kolesnikova, continues to receive rave reviews around the world and thrill audiences with breathtaking scenery and magnificent costumes. Following sold out seasons in London, Paris and Singapore, the globally renowned St Petersburg Ballet Theatre is now bringing the ballet sensation Swan Lake to Macau, which promises audiences a performance that will leave a mark on them for life.
Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre is constantly the centre of attention for the world’s press performing as it does in such theatres as the celebrated London Coliseum and Royal Albert Hall, the Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris, the Bunkamura Hall in Tokyo, the National Theatre in Taipei and the National Theatre in Beijing.
There are sixty professional ballet artists in the company, all graduates of either the world famous Vaganova Russian Ballet Academy or other significant ballet schools. The pearl in the company’s crown is Irina Kolesnikova whose name alone sells out thousand-seater theatres throughout the world with unvarying success. Devotees of the supreme art of ballet and, equally, demanding dance critics constantly marvel at her outstanding talent.
CLOSER had a chance to interview Irina, inviting her to share ideas about her life and her career.
CLOSER: You have performed in Taiwan and Beijing many times. Will this be the first time you have performed in Macau? What do you think of the city?
Irina Kolesnikova: I was here about 5 years ago, but only for a short season. Macau is such an exotic and unusual city to me. It’s a unique blend of East and West. I am really looking forward to going to the Old Macau to absorb the very special Portuguese influences in the architecture and food.
How many performances of Swan Lake have you performed so far? Does the performance still make you feel as excited as at the first time you did it?
I guess maybe I’ve done it 400 times. I’m not sure that each performance is like a premiere to me, but each is a challenge physically and emotionally. I continually look for new traits in the dual character of Odette and Odile. I must do so to keep each performance fresh and real for myself and for the audience.
Of all those versions of Swan Lake around the world, what makes this version of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre so special or different from the others?
Because I’m dancing a piece of Russian history. The first ever full-length Swan Lake was performed in St Petersburg in 1897. How special it is for me to know that I take the ballet to new audiences and am a custodian of the rich original choreography.
Which role is more difficult to play, the white swan or the black one?
I can’t choose. They are such different characters. One is soft and sad and lyrical, while the other is bold, firey and cunning. It is for me like two different ballets in one night. I enjoy dancing both characters.
What is the most challenging part for you to perform in Swan Lake?
Physically Odile, that Black Swan, but emotionally Odette, the White Swan. The real challenge is to make them both totally different.
What role does Ballet play in your life?
It used to be everything but then as life develops, one gets married, has a child, etc, dance remains a constant through all. I know no other life, and I don’t want another life. This one I’m having is perfect each day!
Will you encourage your kids perform Ballet in the future as well?
Absolutely. But only if they are prepared to take it seriously. This cannot be a hobby, it’s a life of hard work and sacrifice, but worth every moment.
Swan Lake will be performed at The Venetian Theatre on December 2-3. After the Macau season, the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre will perform at the celebrated Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris.
