Swan Lake shows on Sunday

The magic of Swan Lake will be on screen this Sunday at Palace Cineplex and Palace Multiplex, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Swan Lake is a two-act ballet composed by Russian master Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in about 1875. Inspired by Russian folklore, it tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. The original production was choreographed by Julius Reisinger.

Although Swan Lake was premiered by the Bolshoi Ballet in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, it did not achieve critical acclaim until 1895, when it emerged as a revival presented at the Maryinsky (Mariinsky) Theatre in St Petersburg. That staging showcased the choreographic and musical genius of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.

This staging, now viewed as a groundbreaking and historic event in the world of Russian ballet, is said to have embodied the emerging artistic philosophy of the times, giving rise to a new era of fresh cultural expressions and symbolism never before seen in the art form.

Today, Swan Lake is a classic hailed in many quarters as the pivotal catalyst in the evolution of ballet as an art form.

Swan Lake begins in an old German castle. The birthday of Prince Siegfried is being celebrated - today, he comes of age. He is congratulated by his mother, the Princess Mother, friends and courtiers. In a majestic ceremony, Siegfried is made a knight. From this day on, a sense of duty and valour will be the guiding principles in his life.

DREAMS OF LOVE

The last toasts are pronounced in his honour. Young girls, his contemporaries, try to attract his attention, but Siegfried is overcome by emotions of a different order. He dreams of a pure, ideal love.

The festivities draw to an end, the guests depart, leaving the prince alone with his thoughts in the gathering dusk. Night falls. Siegfried is conscious of the presence of a shadow at his side. It is as if some mysterious force is beckoning to him. It is the Evil Genius, or Fate itself, who has come to reveal some perturbing secrets to the Prince.

Submitting to the powerful pull of his invisible companion's presence and full of anxious foreboding, Siegfried succumbs to the ideal world of his dreams.

Audiences in Jamaica, along with the global community, have been enjoying outstanding performances during the Bolshoi Ballet's spectacular 2014-15 season. The next encore performance will be Romeo and Juliet on Sunday, April 5.

Tickets are on sale at participating theatre box offices and via the web at www.palaceamusement.com, with a Palace Card.