Việt Nam National Ballet and Opera will perform Swan Lake at the Hà Nội Opera House this weekend. — Photo courtesy of VNOB

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) will perform Tchaikovky's masterpiece Swan Lake at the Hà Nội Opera House this week -- but choreographer Lưu Thu Lan has chosen the original version over the one most commonly produced around the world.

Lan, herself a former ballerina, is currently a lecturer at Hà Nội Academy of Theatre and Cinema. She is anticipated to bring a truly captivating and emotionally charged artistic experience to this version of Swan Lake, which will be performed from June 14 to 16.

"The version by Russian choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov forms the basis for most productions we see the world over today," said Lan. "Choosing the original version is a big challenge for me and the dancers.

"We want to focus on the struggle between good and evil. No matter how strong evil is, with faith and love, good always wins and lasts over time."

Swan Lake was composed by Tchaikovsky in 1875 and has retained its power and popularity ever since. It is still performed regularly by major ballet troupes across the globe even today.

In a letter to his colleague, the composer revealed one of the reasons he agreed to take on the project was his love of lively melodies, something that had already been evident in many of his earlier compositions.

In the ballet, Odette is an innocent young lady. She’s sweet, noble and guileless, while her counterpart Odile is flashy, bewitching and manipulative. However, both Odette and Odile share a similar fate, as they are both victims of circumstance and pawns in the sorcerer Von Rothbart's game.

Odette will be danced by Meritorious Artist Thu Hằng. The soloist has performed leading roles in many of the theatre's repertoires including Giselle, Nutcracker, Suite en Blanc, Fire Bird and others.

Hằng is not only a talented dancer but also highly praised for her profound acting skills and ability to express intricate emotions. She won gold medals at the International Dance Festival in 2017 and in 2019 and was the best dancer at the National Dance, Sing and Music Festival in 2021.

Ballerina Thu Hằng and male ballet dancer Đức Hiếu are soloists in the ballet Swan Lake. Photo courtesy of VNOB

Odette hopes to meet a man whose love for her will help break the sorcerer's curse, according to ballerina Hằng.

"I most like the duo adagio of Odette and Prince," said Hằng. "It features their love. Hopefully, the audience likes it."

The ballet will be performed by soloists Đức Hiếu, Văn Nam and dancers from the VNOB under the baton of conductor Đồng Quang Vinh, with 60 musicians accompanying the dancers.

The beloved masterpiece brings to life not only advancements in technique, set design and technology but also a fresh array of costumes. This evolution reflects the growth of ballet as an art form, intertwined with the progression of fashion and stage design.

The VNOB dancers will wear exquisite costumes designed and crafted by Atelier YOSHINO, the premier Japanese ballet costume design house.

Inspired by French royal style, intricately embroidered motifs meticulously executed by the skilled hands of Japanese artisans adorn the costumes, exuding elegance and nobility.

These motifs further accentuate each character's grandeur and distinctive persona in the ballet.

Parts of Swan Lake were first performed in Việt Nam in 1985, featuring ballet dancers from Việt Nam and the Soviet Union.

In 2019, it was performed in full with choreographer Lê Ngọc Văn for the celebration of the VNOB's 60th anniversary. — VNS