Classical ballet contains truth, hence its importance in the eyes of an envelope-pushing contemporary ballet company such as Ballet BC. They present the National Ballet of Chinas Swan Lake a story that, while inherently Russian in imagery and romanticism, contains the timeless metaphor of women trapped by their beauty.
Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, the National Ballet of China travels to Vancouver with an army of 65 dancers to regale us with Natalia Makarovas 1988 interpretation of the 136-year-old folk ballet.
While the scenes of a young prince's coming of age party are resplendent in royal glory, with their rich tapestries and gorgeous costumes, the most evocative moments take place in the scenes devoted to the ethereal swans. They glide and twirl across the stage with a poetic grace. Their beauty is mesmerizing.
On opening night (Feb. 27), it was Wang Qimin's visually stunning performance as Odette and Odile that helped bring the crowd to their its as a way of showing their appreciation of the National Ballet of China's first visit to Vancouver. (And Teck for being a major sponsor.)
Qimin didn't just dance the role of the swan, she somehow transformed herself into a swan. Her movements were so intuitive the twist of a hand, the bend of an elbow, the tilt of her head that you were as captured by her forlorn loveliness as the prince.
But Makarova's choreography demands more than just grace. Qimin displayed extraordinary strength and endurance as she and Li Jun as Prince Siegried give their hearts to one another, are tricked by the sorcerer and then find everlasting love.
She performs again as Odette and Odile on March 2. Coa Shuci dances the roles on March 1.
Youll never look at the swans of Lost Lagoon the same again.
Swan Lake runs Feb. 27-28 and March 1-2, 8 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (601 Hamilton). Tickets available from BalletBC.com, Ticketmaster.ca, 1-855-985-2787
