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The Royal Ballet: Swan Lake

The Royal Ballet perform Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, choreographed by Liam Scarlett and starring Marianela Núñez as Odette/Odile and Vadim Muntagirov as Prince Siegfried.

The Royal Ballet perform Tchaikovsky’s magnificent classical ballet in a 2018 production by brilliant young choreographer Liam Scarlett, with sumptuous and evocative designs by John Macfarlane.

The Royal Ballet’s production of this iconic classic – the first in over 30 years at Covent Garden – garnered five-star reviews when it opened in May 2018. Starring the Argentinian ballerina Marianela Núñez in the hugely challenging dual role of Odette/Odile, with Vadim Muntagirov as Prince Siegfried, the ballet is a showcase for the whole company, who dazzle in full royal finery during the ball at the palace and in delicate feathered tutus as flocks of swans in the unforgettable scenes at the moonlit lake.

Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful woman, Odette, he is enraptured. But she is under a spell that holds her captive, allowing her to regain her human form only at night. Siegfried holds the power to break the curse
with a promise of true love – but the evil von Rothbart disguises his daughter Odile as Odette to trick Siegfried into breaking his vow.

2 hours, 16 minutes

Last on

Sun 24 Apr 2022 20:00
BBC Four

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:24

    The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy

    Suite From Swan Lake, Op. 20: Act I: Coda (Remastered)

  • 00:27

    Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

    Swan Lake: No. 8 Danse Des Coupes

  • 00:31

    The Festival City Orchestra, Hans Shalletz Conductor

    Dance of The Swans - Swan Lake

  • 00:58

    Orchestra Poly-Rythmo de Contonou Dahomey

    Mi Homlan Dadale

  • 01:03

    Sydney Symphony Orchestra

    Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op.20, Th.12 / Act 1 - Scene

  • 01:05

    Michael Tilson Thomas, London Symphony Orchestra

    Swan Lake, Op. 20: Act III: 15. Allegro Giusto

  • 01:23

    Yuri Temirkanov, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20: Danse Hongroise

  • 01:26

    The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy

    Suite From Swan Lake, Op. 20: Act III: No. 22, Danse Napolitaine (Remastered)

  • 01:32

    Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

    Swan Lake Ballet Suite, Op. 20 (Excerpts): Act I, No. 5, I. Tempo Di Valse Ma Non Troppo, Quasi Moderato

  • 01:32

    Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

    Swan Lake: No. 5 Pas De Deux: Andante

  • 02:04

    Eugene Ormandy

    Swan Lake: Act I: Finale

Credits

Presenter Darcey Bussell
Presenter Ore Oduba
Odette/Odile Marianela Núñez
Prince Siegfried Vadim Muntagirov
Dancer Artists of the Royal Ballet
Choreographer Liam Scarlett
Production Designer John Macfarlane
Executive Producer Tony Followell
Producer Peter Jones
Director Ross MacGibbon

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