Scene from Swan Lake
Columbia City Ballet will present the classic Swan Lake with two performances Saturday, January 29, 3 and 7:30 p.m. at the Koger Center for the Arts.
Accompanied live by the SC Philharmonic under the direction of Morihiko Nakahara, William Starrett’s production features an array of enchanting solos, spectacular pas de deux, and atmospheric corps de ballet sequences, refreshed for a new generation.
Artistic director of Columbia City Ballet William Starrett comments, “I’m delighted to be bringing back our exquisite production of Swan Lake to the stage at the Koger Center For The Arts. We only get to do it every five to eight years, and this run promises an array of exciting debuts from across the company that can’t be missed.”
This year’s production debuts principal dancer Claire Rapp as Odette/Odile— one of the most challenging roles in ballet and one considered an essential part of a star ballerina’s repertoire.
Demi-soloist Joshua Van Dyke debuts as Prince Siegfried.
Lead swans are performed by soloist Jordan Hawkins and company dancer Amanda Hwang. Neapolitan will be performed by Samuel Augustine and the Philippines principal dancer is Denise Parungao.
Set to Tchaikovsky’s seminal score, Swan Lake remains one of the most timeless and well-loved works from the classical ballet canon. Premiered in Moscow in 1895, the work has a special place at Columbia City Ballet’s repertory throughout its 61 years. Performed every five to eight years, the production stays faithful to its classic narrative as Odette and Prince Siegfried’s relationship unravels under Von Rothbart’s evil influences danced by company principal Maurice Johnson. It’s a timeless love story not to be missed.
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