Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet runs through Oct. 15 at the Ellie
Colorado Ballet’s production of Swan Lake, one of the most iconic ballets of all time, arrived at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House with great fanfare and a wildly appreciative sell-out audience. As the opulent stage curtain rose, the audience was treated to the definitive score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra under the direction of Adam Flatt. Two of the most celebrated ballet masters and choreographers of all time, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, are responsible for the exquisitely beautiful dance that is successfully presented in the current production of Swan Lake.
At its core Swan Lake is a love story involving Prince Siegfried (Mario Labrador), heir to the throne, and the beautiful maiden Odette (Jennifer Grace), and their struggle to remain true to one another despite the forces opposing them.
Siegfried’s mother, the Queen (Erica Fischbach) is determined that her son will marry immediately. In the meantime, Siegfried is urged to go swan hunting by his friend Benno (Bryce Lee) to distract him from the pressure being put upon him to marry.
Photo: Amanda Tipton Photography
While swan hunting in the lakeside sovereignty of the evil Baron Von Rothbart (Gregory K. Gonzales), Siegfried is overcome with love when he meets Odette as she transforms from a swan into a beautiful maiden. Von Rothbart has cast a spell over the maidens allowing them to take human form only at night; otherwise, they are destined to be swans. The only way to remove the spell is to meet and fall in love with someone willing to take a pledge of eternal love. Siegfried proclaims his love for Odette as dawn approaches.
Siegfried is again given options for possible marriage when Von Rothbart shows up with Odile (Jennifer Grace), his daughter, a beautiful woman made to look exactly like Odette. Siegfried is led to believe it is Odette, however, this time he gives his promise to Odile. At this precise moment, Odette appears at the window and watches in horror as he declares his love for the imposter.
Although Swan Lake ends tragically for Prince Siegfried and Odette, there is a silver lining with the demise of Von Rothbart and the spell being lifted from the maidens. As morning rises on the horizon, the maidens see the loving couple of Prince Siegfried and Odette and celebrate their eternal bond.
Jennifer Grace and Mario Labrador | Photo: Amanda Tipton Photography
In the roles of Odette and Odile, Grace gives a star-turn performance throughout the highly challenging production. She is both graceful and precise in her characterization of the dueling swans/women in Siegfried’s life. Her dancing is without comparison and is a formidable example of a first-class interpretation of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.
As Siegfried, Labrador is an excellent model of a thoroughly love-sick prince. He is appropriately handsome and sought after as marriage material with his moves being athletic and supremely executed from start to finish. He is a true leading man and is emotionally filled with a wide variety of feelings that come about during the performance.
In the role of Baron Von Rothbart, Gonzales is both evil and conniving as he manipulates the action by using his power to derail the relationship between Siegfried and Odette. Using his cape-like costume as a show of authority, Gonzales is a force to reckon with on multiple levels. His performance is extremely enjoyable as a serious villain out to cause undue turmoil amongst the loving couple.
Also noteworthy are Lee as Benno and Fischbach as the Queen. Both add powerful characterizations and Lee is especially appealing during dance sequences in the first act.
Everyone on stage deserves special recognition for their exceptional contribution to this first-rate production of Swan Lake. There are numerous specialty dances that leap off the stage with energy and excitement and in combination with the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, the production moves swiftly from start to finish. The physical production is remarkable with scenic and costume design by the late Peter Farmer and lighting design by Todd Elmer.
With a standing ovation as the final curtain fell, Colorado Ballet has delivered a masterpiece yet again. This production of Swan Lake must be seen for its overall captivating interpretation of the classic ballet and top-notch performances.
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