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NORFOLK — “Swan Lake,” with its fairy-tale elements — a prince, a princess, a villainous magician and a curse — will open the Virginia Arts Festival’s 2023 season this weekend with performances by the Philadelphia Ballet.
VAF Executive Director Robert Cross said there is no better way to begin the season than with such a “powerhouse” production.
“There are two or three great composers for ballet, and Tchaikovsky is one of the top three ballet composers of all time,” Cross said. “So, the music itself stands on its own.”
The first of three ballets by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, “Swan Lake” premiered Feb. 20, 1877, and is still an international favorite. Tchaikovsky’s other ballets are “The Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker.”
“Swan Lake” tells the story of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette. The princess is turned into a swan by an evil wizard, Von Rothbart.
(Spoiler Alert)
The princess and prince’s love ultimately triumphs and they throw themselves into a lake — what good fairy tale doesn’t favor tragedy — their souls live happily ever after.
Cross said the Philadelphia Ballet rarely travels, and he suspects the prospect of performing to live music lured it out of Philly.
Many venues can’t afford live music and resort to using taped scores, but the Virginia Symphony will play each performance.
Weekend Scoop
“When you’re presenting dance,” Cross said, “I think it’s a totally different experience when you hear the music coming live from the pit.”
Colin Warren-Hicks, 919-818-8139, colin.warrenhicks@virginiamedia.com
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If you go
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Chrysler Hall, 215 St. Paul’s Blvd., Norfolk
Tickets: Start at $25
Details: vafest.org