Swan Lake

Swan Lake
/Luikede järv/
Swan Lake

Composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Director and Choreographer Petr Zuska (Czech Republic)
Musical Director and Conductor Risto Joost
Conductor Mikk Murdvee
Scenographer Daniel Dvořák (Czech Republic)
Costume Designer Pavel Knolle (Czech Republic)
Lighting Designers Margus Vaigur (Endla Theatre) and Petr Zuska (Czech Republic)
Lighting Designers’ Assistant Kaspar Aus

Cast Gus Upchurch, Benjamin Newman, Sayaka Nagahiro, Alexandra Heidi Foyen, Alain Divoux, Bradley Howell, Alexander Germain Drew, Raminta
Rudžionyte-Jordan, Ana Maria Gergely, Caroline Maquignon, Benjamin Kyprianos, Gerardo Avelar, Selma Strandberg, Yukiko Yanagi, Maria Engel, Andrea Johnson, Elena Troisfontaines
Vanemuine Ballet Company and Symphony Orchestra


The world-famous ballet Swan Lake will grace our stage for the first time in the history of the Vanemuine Theatre, and furthermore – it will surprise its audience with an innovative form. The Czech choreographer and stage director Petr Zuska will create an original neoclassical choreography and the narrative will reveal the story of a broken family who learns to love again. Rich and emotional music, classical ballet combined with a rustic yet modern approach: the historic essence of the Swan Lake will reach the stage in a contemporary theatrical language imbued with strong visual symbols.

On Prince Siegfried’s 18th birthday, the King gifts him a painting of his late mother whose love the young man never knew. Teetering on the border of the ordinary world and the realm of dreams, the prince sets out to look for his roots and encounters the warmth of love as well as the pain of loss.

This is a story of coming to terms with one’s origins and fate, where Prince Siegfried needs to understand that the light and darkness within himself – the White and Black Swan – must unite because only then will he be able to give his heart to somebody again.

Petr Zuska, whose production Romeo and Juliette has been very popular at the Vanemuine Theatre since 2018, is known for his rich and versatile creativity, while masterfully combining the opportunities of modern dance. Zuska’s choreography is full of symbols and archetypes, spiritual aspirations and questions.

For me, Tchaikovsky’s music was the only real reason for producing Swan Lake at the Vanemuine Theatre. If we set aside the aesthetics, beauty and pathos of classical ballet and open our minds to the music, we see much more than 32 fouettés or “The Dance of the Little Swans”. Petr Zuska is a director who will delve deep into the story and dramaturgy of the music, drawing inspiration from the extraordinary colours and energy of Tchaikovsky’s sound.
– Ballet director Mare Tommingas

Premiere October 2nd 2021 at the Grand Building of the Vanemuine Theatre.