Swan Lake is a timeless story of love, betrayal, and sacrifice. On a hunting trip, Prince Siegfried discovers Odette, a woman who was captured and transformed into a white swan. Struck by her beauty, he vows eternal love, unaware that her captor Von Rothbart has been watching them. Von Rothbart has cast a spell on Odette that can only be broken by her one true love. To prevent the couple from breaking the spell, he tricks Prince Siegfried into declaring his love for his daughter Odile. Believing that Odette has come to him in masquerade, the prince happily selects Odile as his bride and unwillingly breaks his vow to Odette, dooming her to remain a swan forever. In the final act, a heartbroken Odette and regretful Siegfried reunite and destroy the evil sorcerer, but the spell cannot be undone.

Renowned as a masterpiece, Swan Lake enthralls audiences with its coveted principal roles and iconic corps de ballet.The second act, originally choreographed by Lev Ivanov, is historically considered the finest piece of classical choreography for the corps de ballet. Revel in the technical precision and emotional tonality of dozens of dancers, brilliantly transformed by Robert Perdziola’s incomparable scenery and costume design.

“Swan Lake is one of the world’s most iconic and beloved classical ballets. This production showcases the depth of talent within our Company, from the principal roles to the precision of the iconic corps de ballet scenes. The second act is one of the greatest pieces of corps de ballet choreography. It’s absolutely brilliant. One huge spectacle.”
–Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen

Audiences will fall in love all over again with P.I. Tchaikovsky’s masterful score. Boston Ballet’s Music Director Mischa Santora has elevated the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the second largest musical organization in New England, to new heights.

“Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and company’s adaption of Tchaikovsky’s pièce de résistance dazzles audiences with stunning audiovisuals, from the always-impressive athleticism of the dancers, to the instantly recognizable music, to the gorgeous sets and costumes…”
-Yiqing Shao, Boston Magazine

The original production premiered in 1877 with choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Nissinen added a prologue that depicts the abduction of Odette and the beginning of Von Rothbart’s curse transforming her into a swan. Nissinen collaborated with award-winning designer Robert Perdziola to create the sets and costumes inspired by the late Gothic and early Renaissance period.

“[Nissinen’s] Swan Lake is one of the most beloved ballets in the classical canon, filled with romance, sorcery, transformation, and sacrifice, not to mention lush, virtuosic choreography for corps and principals alike.”
-Karen Campbell, The Boston Globe