Bolshoi Ballet Presents SWAN LAKE in Toronto, Now thru 5/19

The world-renowned Russian ballet company, Bolshoi Ballet, marks its return to Toronto with SWAN LAKE, a production that celebrated its world premiere by the same company on March 4, 1877. Now in its 236th season, Bolshoi Ballet presents SWAN LAKE at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, today, May 15 – Saturday, May 19, 2012 with original revival choreography by Marius Petipa as composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Based on Russian folk tales, SWAN LAKE is a perennial dance favourite that tells a haunting story of love, sorcery, and royalty gone awry. In this tragic love story, Prince Siegfried has set his eyes on an enchanting maiden named Odette, who, unbeknownst to Siegfried, was turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer toying with Siegfried’s fidelity for his true love.

Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi Ballet is among the world’s oldest ballet companies. Achieving worldwide acclaim in the early 20th century when Moscow became the capital of Soviet Russia, the company’s origins can be traced to 1773 with the creation of a dance school for a Moscow orphanage. Originally performing in privately owned venues, the school’s employers, Prince Pyotr Urusov and English theatrical entrepreneur Michael Maddox, acquired the Petrovsky Theatre which was later rebuilt as today’s Bolshoi Theatre.

Bolshoi Ballet is distinguished for its vibrant and bold style that blends technique and athleticism with expressiveness and dramatic intensity. It was this famed style that led the company to a 2009 performance with Lady Gaga at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art’s 30th Anniversary gala.

SONY CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Toronto’s first performing arts centre, has played a defining role in the cultural life of Toronto for more than 50 years. Today, the newly renovated Sony Centre is home to a roster of national and International Artists that reflect the diversity and sophistication of 21st century Toronto. In addition, the Sony Centre is dedicated to developing Toronto’s younger audiences through family programming, workshops targeted towards school-aged audiences, an under-30 membership program, and other community initiatives including an international culinary experience.

For tickets or more information, visit www.sonycentre.ca.