Scotlands Treasure Page 1

Swan Lake is centred around Siegfried, a young prince who is coming of age and must choose his wife. He encounters Odette at a
lake-side party, a beautiful girl who has been transformed into a swan by the evil magician, Rothbart. Odette, along with the other swan
maidens, can only be saved by true love, which Siegfried promises having fallen in love. However, the next day at his birthday party,
Rothbart makes him think his own daughter, Odille, is Odette.

That night down by the lake, the swan maidens believe all is lost, and that their fate is sealed. Rothbart sends down a storm to drown
them all, but Siegfried comes to tell Odette of his mistake and declare his love to her. His heroics save them all, and good once again
triumphs over evil.

The orchestra led the performance with as beautiful and polished a sound you are ever likely to hear, none of it lost within the
surroundings of the Festival Theatre. With striking and beautiful stage sets, including the brilliant use of a smoke machine under fake
moonlight for the return to Swan Lake, the dancers had the perfect setting in which to perform, and allow Irina Kolesnikova to once again
prove she is in a league of her own.

Wearing striking outfits to complement the story and dancers, and with the simplicity of black versus white for artistic beauty as well as
metaphorical, the whole performance was a treat for all the senses. The swan maidens moved with precision and grace around the stage,
and the full talents of Kolesnikova were to behold.

Photo courtesy of irinakolesnikova.com

Related Links
www.irinakolesnikova.com
www.eft.co.uk

This one-off Scottish performance of Swan Lake by the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre,
sold out many weeks before the curtain was raised. Such is the popularity of ballet in
the U.K., the company's last tour saw over 100,000 tickets sold, illustrating how much
the St Petersburg Company is regarded in the world of classic dance.

And what better day of the year to perform what is arguably the worlds most romantic
ballet, than 14 February - St. Valentine's Day - and what better dancer than renowned
prima ballerina, Irina Kolesnikova, to play the role she has made her own, in
Odette-Odile.