Swan Lake – La Scala, Milano
Date: From 15 to 27 September 2023
Rudolf Nureyev in Swan Lake – Photo Francette Levieux / Rudolf Nureyev Foundation
The most moving Tchaikovsky, the best-loved ballet; after nine years, Rudolf Nureyev’s version of this masterpiece returns to Piermarini’s stage. When ‘his’ Swan Lake debuted at La Scala in 1990, Nureyev reserved the key, equivocal, specular roles of Wolfgang/Rothbart for himself. But for the Prince he created challenging variations, putting him at the nexus of all the dramaturgical threads. The precious, historical scenes and costumes by Ezio Frigerio and Franca Squarciapino modulate lights and colours in a Monet-esque reinterpretation of the romantic music, representing Tchaikovsky’s shining white swans on the peaceful yet troubled waters’ garden of Giverny.
Choreography: Rudolf Nureyev from Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
Conductor: Koen Kessels
Staging: Rudolf Nureyev
Sets: Ezio Frigerio
Costumes: Franca Squarciapino
Guest artist Jacopo Tissi (15, 19, 23 Sept.)