Great appearances in memory of “Swan Lake” by Rudolf Nureyev | Media | the home

news | October 4, 2024

Rudolf Nureyev celebrates on October 15, 2024 Swan Lake 60th anniversary at the Vienna State Opera. Below are thoughts from three of this season's newcomers that will explain how the younger generation views this legendary production and how to study the roles. Principal dancer Ioanna Avram and principal dancer Arne Vandervelde can be seen for the first time on October 5th as Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried, respectively; Principal dancer David Dato celebrated his successful debut as Prince Siegfried on September 20.

So what is the importance of Rudolf Nureyev for young dancers like you?

DD Rudolf Nureyev greatly inspired me in my youth, and continues to do so today. He was someone who had achieved an incredible amount in a relatively short period of time. I have watched his ballet videos over and over and listened to or read his interviews. His personality captivated me as much as his dancing skills. There is also a special magic in this that touches the audience deeply.

AV I remember reading a book about Nureyev when he was about 12 years old and being amazed by what people wrote about him and the things he achieved through his great passion for dance. I had no idea that one day I would be dancing his dances on the stage that he himself often performed.

If there are countless versions of Swan Lake. What distinguishes Nureyev?

I. I. Nureyev Swan Lake Distinctive because it focuses on the psychological complexity of the characters, especially Prince Siegfried. Unlike other versions, Nureyev focused on the prince's inner conflict, portraying him as a more introspective and conflicted character. This gives the ballet a darker and more nuanced dimension, making it not only a love story but also a deeper exploration of human emotions and destiny. He also created the “Viennese version” of Prince and Odile's “Black Swan Pas de deux” in Act III, which was particularly challenging due to the extreme technical precision, complex partner work, and rapid changes of direction in the work. Step sets. In the fusion of sports and art, Nureyev's true genius is revealed Swan Lake A constant and captivating challenge for dancers.

If you've all already danced in many of Nureyev's choreographies, including the leading roles in Don Quixote. How do you see the challenges in general and in particular? Swan Lake?

Even if you understand his “language” and his choreographic method better over time, it is never easy to rehearse a Nureyev ballet, especially because of its technical and musical complexity. Nureyev's works are incomparable in their purity and precision and are very demanding of dancing – there are often many small, precise steps and require a deep understanding of the music. Therefore, they require a high artistic level from their dancers, which is necessary to tell their stories on stage.

AV For me, the big challenge in this ballet is finding the right interpretation of Siegfried and showing that through the ballet. Of course, the steps and the work of the partner are very difficult, but in the end it is what the audience wants Swan Lake Look to experience the story and emotions. As Basil in Don Quixote Some errors can be hidden or “covered up”. in Swan Lake There's no way around it, it's all too visual and unforgiving.

Nureyev's great achievement, as mentioned above, was to enhance the role of Prince Siegfried and thus the dancer. What requirements does this entail?

DD Rudolf Nureyev has already had a major influence on the male role in classical ballet, especially in ballet Swan Lakepracticed. It not only enhanced the dancer's presence, but also raised the technical requirements to a new level. Siegfried is a complex character who requires lyrical sensitivity and dramatic intensity. For example, the Adagio solo at the end of Act I is a great moment that requires the perfect balance of technique, expression, and physical stamina. It is an enormous challenge because it requires not only technical precision, but also exceptional strength and body control and places intense stress on the legs and feet. However, the performance should appear graceful and effortless. Thus, Nureyev's interpretations significantly raised not only the physical level, but also the artistic level of dancers in classical ballet.

The AV solo that David mentioned is one of my favorite parts of this ballet. Siegfried has just come of age and is supposed to find a partner, but he wonders if he will one day find his true love. It's a lyrical and vulnerable moment that you don't often find in male solos, and it's a good way to show what's going on inside and also connect with the audience.

So Ioanna, I have already mentioned the peculiarity of the dual role of Odette/Odile. How do you make this transition and which character is closest to you?

IA The role of Odette/Odile in the black-white swan dichotomy requires a balance of grace and vulnerability as well as strength and power, requiring a deeper level of artistry to convey the transformation of these opposing characters. Both roles are equally fascinating to me. I love the contrast, this emotional and psychological journey between them, and how it reflects the complexity of human nature, where light and darkness exist in the same person. The transformation from the innocent, fragile Odette to the fiery, calculating Odile and back again is one of the most exciting and at the same time challenging aspects. Swan Lake Like the transition between two worlds: one characterized by pure love, but also tragedy and pain, and the other by force and deception. With Odette, I focus on her grace, softness and ethereal quality – every movement should be smooth and delicate, as if she were gliding through water or air. Targeted Pilates training also helps me with this. Odile's photography, on the other hand, requires a completely different energy and a special artistic precision.

So what do these iconic roles of Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried mean for your career?

IA as Odette/Odile Swan Lake Debuting is a dream come true. It's the role every ballerina aspires to. I am deeply humbled and approach him with deep respect for the legacy he carries. At the same time, it is an opportunity to push my limits on both an artistic and technical level.

For vehicles Swan Lake It was the first classical ballet I had ever seen, and it made me want to do ballet. Now, dancing the role of Prince Siegfried in this famous ballet is an honor and, technically, one of the most demanding parts for me.

DD The role of Prince Siegfried represents a major milestone in my career and it kind of continues my path so far. It captures the essence of classical ballet and at the same time represents a great challenge to both the artistic and interpretive nature. Years of experience and study of Nureyev's choreography, combined with my own artistic growth, make this moment a very personal and important event.

So why practice Swan Lake And Nureyev's version in particular, in your opinion, still has such fascination among dancers and audiences?

IA Nureyev's Enduring Magic Swan Lake It lies in its timeless appeal and emotional depth. For dancers, ballet represents the ultimate artistic challenge and for audiences, it is evocative Swan Lake Universal themes of love, betrayal and redemption, set to Tchaikovsky's unique score. Nureyev's interpretation gives the ballet a psychological complexity that makes it not only a visual spectacle, but also a deeply moving story.

AV I would say Tchaikovsky's music is a big part of the success. Everyone knows the leitmotif Swan Lakeand our orchestra plays the score beautifully. The history of this ballet, and the fact that Nureyev created it specifically for the Vienna State Ballet, is also something special. There are also 32 ballerinas on stage like swans in this production, which is really impressive when you see how their formations move like a flock on the water. And of course drama, love and betrayal!

The first DD is Swan Lake A world-renowned classic. Another aspect is Rudolf Nureyev himself – a charismatic and world-famous personality who created this special production for Vienna. It is an invaluable cultural heritage. Ultimately, it is the unique combination of the magic of the piece and the importance of this production that has enhanced and enhanced Vienna's reputation as a city of ballet throughout the world. Vienna Swan Lake For me, it is the jewel of our theater and it is crucial to maintain this tradition in the future.