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People's Artist Vyacheslav Gordeev stages Swan Lake for its performance in Vietnam. Photo: T. Le

More than 40 artists from the Russian State Ballet will perform the classical ballet masterpiece Swan Lake on April 11 and 12 at Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi.

Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is considered a symbol of classical performing arts, a ballet that has captivated generations of audiences around the world.

Although the piece has previously been adapted in various styles for Vietnamese stages, this will be the first time local audiences can experience the full original ballet as performed by elite artists from the Russian State Ballet.

In an interview with VietNamNet, People's Artist Vyacheslav Gordeev, the artistic director of Swan Lake, shared that the Russian State Ballet has been performing since 1981 and has toured over 40 countries.

The company has staged famous ballets such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet, and Swan Lake, earning acclaim worldwide.

According to Gordeev, this Vietnamese production of Swan Lake will present all four acts, capturing the delicate and graceful beauty of the swans gliding across the lake.

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Swan Lake tells the immortal love story of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette. Photo: Organizing Committee

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"The music of Tchaikovsky remains essentially intact, with only slight modifications for modern audiences. I’ve shortened the runtime to two hours, from the original three and a half, by trimming sections and connecting Act 1 to Act 3. This presents challenges for the performers, who must change costumes and makeup more quickly, but it creates a more engaging experience for the audience," Gordeev explained.

The performance tells the eternal love story of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette. Due to the curse of the sorcerer Rothbart, Odette transforms into a swan by day, regaining her human form only at night.

The curse can only be broken by a man who truly loves and remains faithful to her. Despite facing tragedy and trials, their love ultimately manifests as a transcendent form of "eternal love."

Gordeev emphasized that this version of Swan Lake not only fully embodies the spirit of the classical masterpiece but also serves as a cultural gift from the renowned Russian ballet troupe to Vietnamese audiences.

He described bringing Swan Lake to Vietnam as a cultural bridge between the two nations — a moment for art lovers to immerse themselves in the pure beauty of classic ballet and experience a timeless masterpiece.

Tinh Le