ABT in Chicago- Swan Lake 4/15/10

photo courtesy of Scott Strazzante w/Paloma Herrera & Ethan Stiefel
When I sat down near the stage for what would be my first live viewing of American Ballet Theatre's Swan Lake, I tried to forget that I had ever seen their 2005 DVD version w/ Gillian Murphy, Angel Corella and cast b/c I thought that it might not be any better than that. And, OMG! This performance was exquisite! All others were forgotten. A huge sensory explosion happened in my brain. This Swan Lake, for me, was about the sum total of all its parts! The sets and costumes by Zack Brown were extraordinarily lavish and spectacular, which blended in contiguously with the stately, gold glamor of the Civic Opera House. The lighting by Duane Schuler highlights the opulence and splendor of it all. I heard this wonderful music by P.I. Tchaikovsky from the orchestra led by David LaMarche with its opening score including the oboe's plaintive call as the violins, cellos, bass and harp provide backup before the horns sound off. I was in heaven because now I had become a part of this living, breathing creature that was Swan Lake. When watching something recorded on video, I can never capture the energy of the actual performance. I prefer sitting near the stage, too, so I can feel more of the acoustic vibration as well as see, hear and feel what the performers are doing. I usually attune my own breathing and/or mood (unconsciously) to one of the performers be they a musician, actor or dancer which allows for a more visceral, emotional reaction and connection to what's happening. I like to actively engage with the performance; otherwise, I would just stay home.

I found the choreography (K. McKenzie, Petipa/Ivanov) of the 1st two acts mesmerizing from the transformation of a princess into a swan, the birthday party scene with its famous pas de trois to the swans by the lakeside. Mr Daniil Simkin as Benno, the prince's friend, was outstanding and his dance for three with Ms Sarah Lane & Ms Yuriko Kajiya was refreshing and joyful. The aristocrat dance and following peasant scene, including the maypole, which looks like a human carousel, was also fun and delightful. The whole time I was watching the 1st 2 acts, it just felt like I had won the lottery and was being treated to a first class good time. I actually felt like royalty and that the performance was put on just for my sole entertainment. In that moment in time, there was no other place I would have rather been.

I've already written about Mr Stiefel as Pr. Siegfried, but Ms Paloma Herrera's Odette was gorgeous and very satisfying. I loved her as the white swan. The corps de ballet's portrayal as the flock of swans, lead by Ms Hee Seo and Ms Stella Abrera, was visually beautiful and unexpectedly emotional for me. I felt like crying every time they appeared. I was completely amazed by Ms Gemma Bond, Ms Marian Butler, Ms Anne Milewski, and Ms Maria Riccetto as the cygnettes (dance of 4 swans). I thought they were perfection; seriously, I've never seen it performed anywhere as well as they did it.

ABT swans- photo courtesy of MIRA
Although Act III & IV, which began after an intermission, didn't have the same spell-binding impact as I & II, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr Kevin McKenzie includes cor. here that is not seen in the DVD version like the trio from the pas de trois of Act I doing another little dance number here. I liked the Czardas, Spanish dance, and Mazurka more in this live performance. Basically, the entire Great Hall section is awesome. Again, I was still swept up in the opulence of it all. Sascha Radetsky played von Rothbart and his performance was underwhelming; he was hesitant or tentative in the cor., which lacked his usual overtly dramatic flare and bravado. Ah well, Mr Stiefel and Ms Herrera performed incredibly well here, too. Ms Herrera transformed into a vampishly, coquettish Odile. She unexpectedly fell off balance after the last of her 32 amazing fouettes w/multiple pirouettes; however, she was still brilliant. The doomed couple offed themselves with gigantic leaps into the lake, the flock of swans gave a final dance before disappearing into the fog, and the lovers were reunited again in the after-live. Bravissimo ABT! Bravissimo!