By Jeanni Ritchie
The World Ballet Company brought its production of Swan Lake to CenLa, delivering a visually stunning and emotionally rich performance of one of the most beloved ballets of all time.
I attended with my friend Mary, a former dancer, which turned out to be the perfect pairing. While she effortlessly followed the story being told through movement, I found myself returning to the synopsis on the Playbill to know what was happening!
But I was also content to simply take it all in — the music, the precision, the beauty of it all. That’s truly the magic of ballet: you don’t have to understand every detail to be completely captivated.
Swan Lake tells the story of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette, who is cursed by the sorcerer Rothbart to live as a swan by day and regain her human form only at night. The ballet unfolds as a story of love, deception, and redemption, as Siegfried vows his love to Odette, is tricked into betraying her with lookalike Odile, and ultimately fights to break the spell.
While Swan Lake traditionally ends in tragedy, in this version audiences are given a happily ever after, something I was pleasantly surprised to discover.
The dancing itself was nothing short of breathtaking. From the graceful synchronization of the swan ensemble to the demanding dual role of Odette/Odile (Liudmila Ulantsava), the performers displayed both technical excellence and emotional depth. One standout for the audience was the jester (Konstantin Geronik), whose energy and personality brought moments of comedy and charm that had the crowd fully engaged.
The music for Swan Lake was composed by Tchaikovsky, with Swan Theme being one of the more recognizable pieces. I’ve loved Tchaikovsky since I took Music Appreciation in college!
Based in Los Angeles, the World Ballet Company tours extensively, bringing classical productions like this to cities across the country — with fresh interpretations or entirely new creations.
From the sweeping score to the intricate choreography, Swan Lake proved to be both accessible and awe-inspiring. Whether you were a lifelong ballet lover or simply there to experience something new, it was the kind of performance that drew you in — and held you there.
Photo credit: World Ballet Company
