BALLET THEATRE OF MARYLAND PRESENTS SWAN LAKE
One of ballet’s most tragic love stories returns to Annapolis for the first time since 2020
Combining an emotionally moving story with captivating classical dance, Swan Lake is a significant work of the ballet repertory. BTM is
honored to close its 2024-2025 mainstage season with this production. Says Artistic Director Nicole Kelsch, “Ballet Theatre of Maryland last performed Swan Lake in February of 2020, so it is a huge milestone to return to it. There is so much to say about Swan Lake: its sweeping score by Tchaikovsky, the distinctive images of a corps of swans all moving as
one, and the high drama of its story. Portraying these characters onstage, particularly the tragic
love of Odette and Siegfried, means not only dancing but also artistically interpreting each
movement.”
Swan Lake as we know it dates to the 1895 production in St. Petersburg, Russia. Drawing
inspiration from folk tales and the work of Wagner, it tells the story of the Queen of the Swans,
Odette. Odette and the other swan maidens were transformed by the evil sorcerer Von
Rothbart, and their only hope for breaking the curse is a vow of true love. The noble Prince
Siegfried is poised to provide this, but Rothbart and his wicked daughter Odile have another
plan in mind.
Distinctive moments from the production include the courtly Grand Waltz in Act I, the
expansive jumps of the Big Swans and the precision of the Little Swans in Act II, and the famous
dichotomy of the White Swan and Black Swan. Notably, this production will mark the swan song
for principal dancer Lindsey Bell. She is retiring as a company member and ballet mistress after
10 seasons with BTM.
Enjoy Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s performances of Swan Lake on April 25 at 7:30 and April 26
at 1:00 and 4:30. In-person tickets are on sale now with discounts for seniors, military,
students, and children. For virtual audiences, tickets are $36 per household. To purchase tickets
or learn more, visit balletmaryland.org. BTM cautions that BalletMaryland.org and
Eventbrite.com is the only official website for purchasing tickets to performances. Ballet
Theatre of Maryland is not responsible for tickets purchased through unauthorized third
parties.