PREVIEW: Varna International Ballet to perform classics Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty

Swan Lake, regarded as the greatest romantic ballet of all time, will be performed on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 7.30pm.

Sleeping Beauty, the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score, will be performed the following night, Wednesday, January 17, 7.30pm.

BUY TICKETS: For tickets and more information visit www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk.

It follows a hugely successful 2022 debut UK tour which celebrated Varna International Ballet’s 75th anniversary.

Swan Lake will be a recreation of Tchaikovsky’s original production, that was created for the Bolshoi Ballet in 1877. Modern audiences are more familiar with the 1895 version that included musical and choreographical changes to the original by Marius Petipa and Riccardo Drigo, which was presented at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1895, two years after Tchaikovsky’s death.

The producers of Varna International Ballet went back into the archives in order to return to the original score, orchestration and libretto, above all to preserve the original meanings that were at the bottom of the musical dramaturgy of the ballet.

From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom, to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, Swan Lake is a compelling tale of tragic romance and has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette, as she flutters with emotional intensity.

The dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

Sleeping Beauty is a favourite fairy tale, with stunning choreography, sumptuous costumes and wonderful sets to form a fantasy world in which the Lilac Fairy struggles against the evil Carabosse.

The production will be a classic version of the original, including sumptuous costumes and familiar choreography and settings.

Varna State Opera was founded in 1947 by the renowned Bulgarian tenor Peter Raycheff and the main credit for the development of the ballet troupe goes to Galina and Stefan Yordanov, who were Artistic Directors and choreographers for over 25 years (1960-1985).

They formed the image of the Varna Ballet and brought it to the international stage and founded the first and now world-famous Varna International Ballet Competition in 1964. Since 2010 Varna State Opera and Varna Drama Theatre are united in one cultural institute called Theatre and Music Production Centre Varna.

Renowned for its award-winning soloists from the UK, France, Italy and Spain, and magnificent corps de ballet, the company has been delighting audiences for decades at home in Bulgaria and abroad with its performances of the highest quality.

British dancer Luc Burns will perform alongside Italy’s Mara Salvaggio, Martina Prefetto, Giovanni Pompei, Agnese Di Dio Masa, Andrea Conforti, Mirko Andreutti, Giacomo Ammazzini and Vittorio Scolé, France’s Pauline Clémence Faget, Spain’s Mónica Alegre and Yael Delgado, and Brazil’s Wellson Felipio.

Artistic Director Daniela Dimova and Music Director and Chief Conductor Peter Tuleshkov, from Varna International Ballet and Orchestra say they are thrilled to be bringing the highly talented company of dancers and musicians back to the UK and cannot wait to perform for British audiences again, to bring these magical ballets to life on stage.

Promoters Raymond Gubbay Limited, founded in 1966 and recognised as being at the forefront of promoting and producing popular shows, illuminated trails, classical concerts, dance and special events, they have announced the British and international soloists for Varna International Ballet and Orchestra who will be touring early next year and appearing in Blackpool.