OVERVIEW
A visionary take on a masterpiece bridging ballet and modern dance.
Contemporary dance superstar Angelin Preljocaj tackles the Mount Everest of the ballet world with his new take on Swan Lake.
Combining Tchaikovsky’s musical masterpiece with contemporary arrangements, he reinvents the timeless tale of love, betrayal, seduction, and remorse into a contemporary ecological tragedy. The evil sorcerer von Rothbart is portrayed as an industrialist who wants to exploit fossil fuels against a backdrop of unbridled capitalism, while Siegfried and Odette are the two eco-conscious heroes who try to thwart his plans.
With 26 dancers, this Swan Lake truly takes flight in its beautiful tribute to the original. Audiences who have seen Ballet Preljocaj’s previous four appearances in Ann Arbor, including the magical Snow White a decade ago, are in for a treat when classical ballet meets modern dance on the stage of the Detroit Opera House.
Groups
Looking to bring a group of 10 or more? Contact Jeffery Sanders at groupsales@detroitopera.org to save today!
PRESS
“An exhilarating piece of dizzying dance and inventive choreography.”
– Chroniques de danse
“A Lake light as a feather. Magic and poetic.”
– La Provence
“A new Lake, written with intention and talent.”
– Danser Canal Historique
“Inventive, spectacular and rich with references, Angelin Preljocaj’s Swan Lake looks at familiar scenes and figures with new eyes to give them a new meaning.”
– Zibeline
“Angelin Preljocaj manages to create a popular show without renouncing artistic standards. Carried by a troupe of powerful dancers who are literally devouring the stage, he successfully climbs on top of the magic mountain that is Swan Lake.”
– Danses avec la plume
“Angelin Preljocaj returns to an ominous tale where love is neither triumphant nor victorious. His writing is rich and abundant, drawing from neoclassicism as well as electro pop (…). Angelin Preljocaj treats each movement with his usual finesse, breathing life into each scene of the ballet. (…) A melancholic dream which elegance and breathtaking moments make for a moving experience.”
– L’œil d’Olivier
“The choreographer achieves the feat of rewriting Swan Lake in its entirety while paying homage to Bourmeister’s choreography through multiple references. (…) It’s a different story set in a different world and the result is absolutely delightful. The movements of the dancers are of an exceptional quality and the visual effects are well executed, with lights shaping each choreographic space. Angelin Preljocaj playfully transgresses established codes but never loses his footing, giving us a highly enjoyable Lake.”
– Le Figaro Magazine