Balletto di Teatro alla Scala: Swan Lake - Petipa, Ivanov and Ratmansky (2016)

La Scala Ballet in Alexei Ratmansky's historical production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov's "Swan Lake"
Music by Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Petipa and Ivanov, reconstructed from the notation scores of the Sergeyev Collection by Ratmansky
Additional choreography by Ratmansky
Recorded on the 30th June 2016 at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan
Cast:
Odette/Odile: Nicoletta Manni
Prince Siegfried: Timofei Andrijashenko
The Evil Genie/Von Rothbart: Mick Zeni
Benno: Christian Fagetti
The Queen: Caroline Westcombe
Wolfgang: Andrea Pujatti
Résumé of scenes and dances
1. Introduction - 0:00:45
Act 1, scene 1
2. Scène première, entrée du Prince Siegfried - 0:03:26
3. Pas de trois
3a. Entrée - 0:06:37
3b. Variation I - 0:08:52
3c. Variation II - 0:10:14
3d. Variation III - 0:11:32
3e. Coda - 0:12:51
4. Scène, entrée de la reine - 0:14:45
5. Valse champetre - 0:18:03
6. Scène d'action - 0:22:44
7. Sujet: Introduction to the Danse au cliquetis de verres - 0:24:17
8. Danse au cliquetis de verres - 0:24:52
9. Scène finale: Départ du Prince Siegfried, Benno et les chasseurs - 0:27:54
Act 1, scene 2
10. Scène - 0:29:53
11. Scène et entrée d'Odette - 0:32:23
12. Entrée des cygnes - 0:36:17
13. Danse des cygnes
13a. Valse des cygnes - 0:39:56
13b. Grand Pas d'action - 0:42:29
13c. Danse des petits cygnes - 0:49:34
13d. Danse des grands cygnes - 0:51:21
13e. Variation d'Odette - 0:53:08
13f. Coda Génerale - 0:55:09
14. Scène et finale - 0:57:13
Act 2
15. Grand Marche - 0:59:21
16. Valse des Fiancées - 1:01:51
17. Scène, entrée d'Odile - 1:05:12
18. Danse éspagnole - 1:06:54
19. Danse napolitaine - 1:09:05
20. Czardas - 1:11:17
21. Mazurka - 1:14:26
22. Grand Pas d'action
22a. Entrée - 1:17:48
22b. Grand Andante - 1:19:25
22c. Variation du Prince Siegfried (Variation pour Mons. Alexander Gorsky) - 1:23:29
22d. Variation d'Odile (Variation pour Mlle. Pierina Legnani) - 1:25:09
22e. Coda - 1:27:32
23. Scène finale - 1:29:35
Act 3
24. Entr'acte - 1:31:34
25. Valse des cygnes blanc et noir - 1:33:33
26. Scène - 1:38:18
27. Scène dansante - 1:41:32
28. Scène et finale. Apothéose - 1:45:10
Curtain call - 1:49:25
History
“Swan Lake” was Tchaikovsky’s first ballet and is based on European legends of the mythical swan maiden. The ballet made its world première on the 4th March [O.S. 20th February] 1877 at the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow. For many years, the world première of "Swan Lake" has long believed to have been a failure, but in fact, the reaction was, at best, lukewarm. However, it was not the reaction that Tchaikovsky had hoped for and it was the sensitive composer who regarded his first ballet to be a failure. Sadly, Tchaikovsky would never live to see "Swan Lake" successful due to his untimely death on the 6th November [O.S. 25th October] 1893. At the time of his passing, the ballet was being revived by Marius Petipa, the Premier Maître de Ballet of the Saint Petersburg Imperial Theatres and his second ballet master Lev Ivanov, who, along with the Imperial Theatre's Principal Conductor Riccardo Drigo and Tchaikovsky's brother Modest, were creating a new production. Petipa and Ivaonv's "Swan Lake" premièred on the 27th January [O.S. 15th January] 1895 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, with the legendary Italian Prima Ballerina Assoluta Pierina Legnani as Odette/Odile. Reaction to the production was mixed, but better than the original 1877 production, with Legnani enchanting the audience as both the Swan Queen and the evil enchantress. Though not of the most popular ballet at the time, "Swan Lake" remained in the repertoire and after 1901 when it returned to Moscow in the hands of Alexander Gorsky, spread all over the world and gained popularity throughout the course of the 20th century. Today, it is one of the most popular and beloved ballets.
For more information on the history of "Swan Lake", please visit my website, "The Marius Petipa Society" - petipasociety.com/swan-lake/

[@clarisafalconvalerdi5354]

I love this version, it's a shame they don't continue dancing it, except at the Miami City Ballet. As a Labanotation specialist I can appreciate the importance of the reconstruction of a ballet as beautiful as Swan Lake, Ratmansky has made a careful and respectful reconstruction of the original choreography.

[@stewartraesidem4473]

Refreshing to see the corps de ballet used as a character.

[@user-ue6sc8th7z]

Топают как кони)

[@maeduss]

@@user-ue6sc8th7zwhy is there always people of your nationality degrading dancers of other countries on comment sections? It is starting to sound like something else. Go anywhere else with y’alls h4t3 towards these dancers!

[@beetrinket]

@@user-ue6sc8th7zневежливый

[@seminkovabulka]

OH MY GOD, IT'S THE WHOLE PRODUCTION! Christmas did come early this year! Thank you ever SO much for uploading it.

[@micheledix2616]

So very happy to see the whole Ballet . I have seen Act 3 from this production previously , a few months ago, and loved it . Thank you for posting the whole reconstruction , recreation of Pepita's Swan Lake work

[@markbeck8384]

I enjoyed it very much. Great first act trio, Waltz. Loved the stools and ribbon pole. Liked the inclusion of all the boys in Act 2. Swans on the lake were nice. I liked that Odette seemed more human, less totally swan. Liked the character dances in Act 3. Glad to see von Rothbart with a red beard. Sort of not overwhelmed with the Black Swan scene. Liked the last act, which I often don't. Seemed like there was some added mime throughout, that I thought was really helpful. I'm very grateful you posted this, as I wanted to see it.

[@sirkkuhoikkala3601]

Why do I love this so much??! To name a detail: gotta love the final pose of the Black swan PDD adagio. Okay, gotta watch this many times now! :-)

[@williamdeng1870]

An interesting version of "Swan Lake", still beautiful and charming!

[@rozpescador8469]

And now, Nicoletta Manni is now an ETOILE!!!!!

[@marijke0607]

beautiful costumes, they add Beaty to the movements. Well chosen !

[@marijke0607]

yes beauty

[@EricMontreal22]

Thank you so so much for this. I’ve been desperate to see the entire production

[@sophieistiredandwantscooki8806]

Incredibly grateful for this video! Miss Manni is a gem!

[@annicarbone6643]

Ma qualcuno si intende davvero di danza classica?

[@kerrytakashi12]

A beautiful production. It’s so nice to hear the score at tempo and not slowed to funeral dirge. The choreography is crisp and no nonsense. I like that there are no affectations in Odette’s mannerisms in the white pas de deux.

[@Superpeacenik]

Another one of Mr.Ratmansky's reconstructions has bitten the dust. RIP, Swan Lake. Thanks for the memories.

[@Francierinaldo]

A buffet for dilettanti; how he dared to stage such a disastrous production in a colossally important temple of fine performances is beyond me… a caricature, that’s all it is, a mechanical heartless caricature.

[@susannevollmer2347]

Very romantic!

[@marijke0607]

beautiful!!!! Mr Chasse templeveé knows his art!

[@walterroberts2861]

The Dance; Of The White Swans; Is Splendid;🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌

[@andreaspaulbasler776]

Thank you so much! What a treat that was. Swan Lake is a ballet I find unwatchable nowadays. The productions plus newly inserted choreography makes no dramatic sense. The white act pas de deux taken so slow all the dance is massacred on the way. But this production has beautiful musical dance quality from start to finish. No jerking the leg in fondue arabesque a bit higher and higher. No distorted hips. Just beautiful classical lines. And the Petipa Talent always to entertain. I liked the galgulas. (don´t know the spelling of this step) I would like to see his Sleeping Beauty as well. But at least my prayers were heard to see his Swan Lake.

[@EricMontreal22]

yeah it really shows how when you go back to the original text, suddenly so much makes sense again

[@CHazell2]

This is wonderful. Thanks so much

[@mortesecca2458]

Bellissimo, grazie!

[@Bivolari]

Ah! The swan from Lohengrin!

[@alesssndromanzoni2920]

Strana versione....

[@piccusia]

1:17:48 Love the choreography, it differs from what I've seen before. Gorgeous❤

[@eugenia870]

Thanks Amy for sharing the video. While waiting for a commercial, high quality release of this version... it is so rewarding to be able to watch it even if in amateur mode. Highly appreciated!

[@Will-sx3rz]

It's really wonderful to be able to see this reconstruction in its entirety👏👏👏 Thank you very much for uploading it. Wouldn't you by any chance also have the complete reconstruction that the Mariinsky made of the pharaoh's daughter?

[@amygrowcott]

You’re welcome and no I don’t because that is a production that I am distancing myself from.

[@theoriginalfreremarto9432]

​@@amygrowcott Hi not trying to be rude or something but may I Ask why you are trying to distance of this production ?

[@amygrowcott]

@@theoriginalfreremarto9432 hello and don’t worry, I don’t find your question rude. I’m distancing myself from that production because it causes too much hurt. It was, of course, supposed to be Ratmansky’s production, but then Russia invaded Ukraine and that changed everything. Ukraine has had my full support since the war started and I have since made some very dear friends in Ukrainian ballet dancers after I saw them in Ratmansky’s “Giselle”. And then, another friend of mine went to Russia to finish Pharaoh’s Daughter. I told them not to go for obvious reasons, but they didn’t listen and that hurt, it put me in a bad position. Knowing that that production was being used to fund a war and genocide and to have someone I knew work on it, even though their reasons were not political, I couldn’t deal with it, so I don’t want anything to do with it because it’s too painful.

[@Kelly-dg5xl]

@@amygrowcott Now that Alexei Ratmansky is the Artist in Residence of New York City Ballet, hopefully the New York City Ballet will premiere his reconstruction of the pharaoh's daughter!

[@susannevollmer2347]

@@Kelly-dg5xl🙃🙃🙃

[@gpopov777]

Pure Art, for the 1st time, not athletic-acrobatic-gymnastics form of performance but telling a story in a beautiful form of dance without exposing too much of the ballerinas’ bodies; telling the story without the need to read the synopsis of the ballet, decent beautiful clothing - nothing too short or too long, technically very strong clean performance.

[@gpopov777]

This version of Swan Lake is phenomenal- a true form of art with very artistic side. By the way the dances were sort of fast; the music was going pretty fast and only real professional dancers can catch up with the tempo of the music and still looking great maintaining the look of high level of trained dancers.

[@MrStucha]

thank you so much. Do you have the new Coppelia by any chance?

[@walterroberts2861]

Prince Siegfried: Timofei Andrijashenko; Looks Very Well-Bred; As The Prince;🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌

[@JeanDeBouche]

Could you please post the staatsballet production of the nutcracker?

[@EricMontreal22]

I know it's too much to ask for, but any chance of complete video of the Ratmansky Bayadere or Sleeping Beauty?? :)

[@Kelly-dg5xl]

I would love to see a complete video of the Ratmansky Bayadere and Sleeping Beauty, as specially Sleeping Beauty!

[@Kelly-dg5xl]

Amy just uploaded the complete Ratmansky Bayadere yesterday! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooelfpajeLOteMU

[@EricMontreal22]

Oh WOW thank you so much for the heads up!! @@Kelly-dg5xl

[@Kelly-dg5xl]

@@EricMontreal22 You're welcome!

[@walterroberts2861]

The Approach Of The View Of The Camera; Allows For The Scene With The Swans; To Possess; A Sort Of Grey Wet Wash; Affect;🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌

[@CHazell2]

Do you have a recording of the Sleeping Beauty as well

[@amygrowcott]

Unfortunately not a full one and what I have is bad quality

[@CHazell2]

@@amygrowcott how bad is it?

[@rodrigoramos3600]

Obrigado por postar o vídeo 🙏🏼

[@rozpescador8469]

This is a beautiful production, a refreshing thought on how Swan Lake should be danced. On the other hand, the way some parts of the music score being cut out is kinda off.

[@EricMontreal22]

This is how the music score was performed in 1895, complete with the additions on Act IV of two piano pieces newly orchestrated. I'm sure you know the history of Swan Lake, but it was a flop in Moscow in 1877. When Tchaikovsky died, Act II was performed for the first time in ages at a gala, was a hit, and in 1895 the Mariinsky did the entire ballet, with choreography by Petipa and Ivanov (who had done Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker, etc.) Because Petipa was used to asking for the music he wanted (his demands--which Tchaikovsky apparently appreciated--for SB and Nutcracker are infamous, sending him notes like "Now I need four bars of this, and then...") and because the 1877 Swan Lake was seen as a bit of a disorganized mess, Mariinsky conductor Ricardo Drigo was asked to work on the score with the choreographers. SO since the goal of this production was to use the dance notations to recreate that 1895 famous production (which finally made the ballet a hit) they had to follow the music used for that production.

[@markwhiteraven]

What a gift this. I have been a fan of Swanlake since I was eight years old. I have seen all versions, but I often wondered, what would the original Petipa version look like? I guess I’ve got a glimpse of the answer here and I am loving every bit.

[@nataliacharovamedmfa4679]

Extremely provincial taste. Like majority of Ratmansky's full length productions. Big step down after Sergei Vicharev's reconstructions.

[@josephng5272]

Did Vikharev do a reconstruction of Swan Lake?

[@elenayakovleva2135]

Очень слабая хореография! Местами пантомима вместо балета. Окрестр тоже гремит как црковой.

[@amygrowcott]

Yes madam because this is what ballet is supposed to look like, especially the classics.

[@chanellshahin151]

@@amygrowcott It's not true, ballet is a form of art, of course. However this choreography is presenting less difficulty then Grigorovich's, but it's still very enjoyable.

[@tiziana327]

never seen such ugly costumes in Swan like. Manni's tutu is neither long and soft, nor short and stiff, but a truly terrifying middle ground. And then without crown….

[@amygrowcott]

Thank you for your comment. These costumes are based on the ones from the 19th century production and tutus back then were bell-shaped rather than flat. Also, Odette is wearing a crown, just without a feathered headband.

[@tiziana327]

@@amygrowcott thanks for the information, I didn't know that the costumes were inspired by another era. But I personally don't even like the choreography. And Italian dancers are unfortunately always one step behind...

[@chanellshahin151]

@@amygrowcott Yes, that is very true. But I prefer a modern costume.

[@Tatiana-yp2bk]

This is the second Ratmansky’s production that disappointed me. First was Giselle with the Ukrainian ballet. I thought maybe due to war there was not enough time to rehearse. But now is this… very mediocre. And it’s not about extensions or other movements, it’s about general choreography. The swans with cocked heads, heavy and clumsy at times. Strange hands and feet positions. The longer tutus took away crispness and cleanliness of the lines. And what’s up with famous pas de deux starting as pas de trois? What’s that other guy is there for? To ruin the whole idea? Why, why improve something that was already beautiful?

[@harze4201]

It's a reconstruction of the original swan lake when it first performed. The second guy who dances with Siegfried and Odette was originally also danced the part-he was playing Siegfried best friend. The tutu was also originally designed like that in the first performance of Swan Lake

[@Tatiana-yp2bk]

@@harze4201 what was his purpose? What was the storyline there?

[@harze4201]

@Tatiana-yp2bk In the original ballet storyline, he only appeared in Acts 1 and 2, mainly as Siegfried's companion and best friend. Hence, why most Swan Lake left the character entirely or replaced him as a Jester like in the Mariinsky and Bolshoi ballet. The only ballet companies that still add him to the story are New York City Ballet, The American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, and Dutch National Ballet, where he plays a slightly more active role. The Royal Ballet has him dance two pas de trois in act 1 and act 3 with Siegfried's two younger sisters. The Dutch National Ballet has him be the one who gave Siegfried the idea to go and hunt at the lake, along with being the final witness of Siegfried and Odette's tragic ending in act 4.

[@lavandeyracaro]

No me ha gustado mucho.Parece mas un ballet de caracter que clasico...Retroceder en el tiempo no siempre es afortunado. La calidad de cuerpo de baile y bailarines principales tampoco impresiona.El mayor acierto es el vestuario.Curiosa version y siempre se agradece ver algo nuevo.

[@Francierinaldo]

Semplicemente dilettantistico; povero Siegfried, ha provato, ma con un disastro ottieni disastro. Forse i dirigenti artistici della Scala, erano in vacanza in Antartica; visualmente sconcertante, dalla coroncina al costume ed i capelli che hanno creato una pessima ottica… e il notevole, amatissimo Cigno che normalmente fa piangere mi ha fatto solo ridere: di classico in questa produzione e’ soltanto lo spartito che sfortunatamente l’orchestra ha fatto come il Cigno: affrettato, meccanico, bancarellistico e basta.

[@micheladessanti4278]

Non mi è piaciuto molto, forse l'intento era una ricostruzione storica della versione ottocentesca di prima maniera. Troppe scene mimiche esageratamente enfatiche, pose obsolete, prese strane, salti ed estensioni delle gambe "bassi". Sembra un salto nel passato non in senso buono; i ballerini sembrano essere stati invitati a non essere loro stessi, ma a imitare espressioni delle foto dei ballerini della Russia imperiale. Scene e costumi non belli, tempi della musica accelerati soprattutto nei primi due atti.

[@amygrowcott]

Hello. I’m sorry you feel that way, but I have to say a couple of things. The dancers were not asked to imitate anybody, rather they were instructed to adapt a different style. The tempo of the music is certainly not accelerated, it’s the correct tempo (the tempo to which it was choreographed): modern productions have slowed the music down to the most awful tempi. Ratmansky did a fine job in following the notation scores and the dancers did a very good job in taking his directions. His aim was to show us what Petipa’s ballets should look like and this is the closest we’ll get to what Petipa staged.

[@micheladessanti2112]

​@@amygrowcottInfatti ho premesso che doveva essere una ricostruzione storica. Ma ho tutto il diritto di dire che non è di mio gusto. Guardo balletti (in video e dal vivo) da circa 45 anni (oltre ad aver studiato danza e storia della danza), perciò credo di non essere una "neofita". Le ricostruzioni storiche, solo perché sono storiche, non significa che siano migliori delle miriadi di versioni che sono state fatte in seguito con tecnica, gusto e interpretazione che si sono evoluti. Posso apprezzare la meticolosita' e la cura della ricostruzione, ma non per questo la devo trovare bella e/o emozionante. D'altronde dubito che i nostri occhi e orecchie, tornando indietro nel tempo, sarebbero SEMPRE incantati nel vedere e sentire balletti e opere nelle loro esecuzioni del '700 e dell' 800. Opinioni personali

[@micheledix2616]

​@amygrowcott thank you well said. I am an elderly ex Ballet dancer ( a little swan many times over 🤣) , and I truly appreciate your explanation and this version. There is always something new to be learned from new ( different) Ballet experiences. And having the privilege to see a reconstruction of an original is such a treat. So, thank you once again🙏

[@dianamax7]

I did not like it at all. It is trying too hard to be different and to turn back time. It looks like an oligarch-funded school production of a musical theatre. Too much miming, the dancing is boring, nobody is allowed to lift their leg higher than 90 degrees, low passes…. If you want musical theatre, I highly recommend Matthew Bourne’s take on Swan Lake.

[@amygrowcott]

Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry this production didn’t meet your expectations, but this is what classical ballet is supposed to look like - a fine combination and balance of dance, music and mime to tell the story, devoid of acrobatic tricks that have no purpose (e.g. tastelessly high leg extensions, which not only look vulgar, but slow the dancers down). This is certainly not trying to be like musical theatre, it’s meant to be classical ballet and Petipa’s true artistic vision.

[@micheladessanti2112]

Mi sembra che chi non è amante della filologia venga considerato incompetente o di cattivo gusto. Non lo trovo corretto. Inoltre ballerini e coreografi dagli anni 60/70 del 900 in poi, sarebbero tutti uguali ignoranti e volgari?

[@L-Ondee]

Can we not take this production for what it is? A historically very accurate reproduction of a masterpiece? Can we not rejoice in being fascinated about where ballet has come from? How it transitioned from the romantic era into the classic one, which can still be perceived in this version? Why is the less athletic use and perception of the physical body such an issue nowadays? Please people, if this does not make you think about how humankind has evolved, the pros and contras in each era etc. why comment at all?

[@micheladessanti2112]

​@@L-Ondee Infatti, ripeto, ammiro e apprezzo la perizia della ricostruzione, ma non vedo perchè non dovrei avere la libertà di commentare come la avete voi. Non manco di rispetto a nessuno, come qualcun'altro invece fa tacciando di "volgarità" chi apprezza anche l'evoluzione che il balletto ha avuto. Il conoscere e ammirare le origini, per me, non declassano ciò che è avvenuto in seguito. Neanche io ricerco a tutti i costi l'atleticita' e l'esibizione fine a se stessa di fisico e potenza. Dico che c'è un'origine e vari stadi di evoluzione dove ognuno si ritrova di più o di meno LIBERAMENTE . Ma senza mettere etichette sgradevoli a chi la pensa diversamente da me. Saluti a tutti e viva la DANZA!

[@L-Ondee]

​@@micheladessanti2112thank you Michaela for responding. I was referring to the 1st comment above. Everybody is free to have their own opinion, of course. In this case however the declared background and purpose of the production were not accepted or understood and the own opinion seemed to be imposed on everybody else. And btw. I do agree with you.