European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 29, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Regina Kirkendall staff writer Peter Tchaikovsky s Swan Lake has everything a fairy tale should have a handsome Prince a Princess in distress and an evil villain. The grand corps de Ballet of Leningrad has what it takes to make this enchanting tale come to life. The dancers abilities to express emotion through Graceful movements wove an invisible spell around the audience at the forum theater in ludwigs Burg Germany sunday night. . Gerbek a leading Solo dancer for the famous Kirow theater in Leningrad u.s.s.r., founded the grand corps de Ballet of Leningrad in 1947. The company is now headed by Viktor Korolkow and Larissa Iwanowska who have both earned worldwide recognition with their new choreographic Al approach to this classical form of dance. On sunday they treated the audience to the original 1885 version of Tchaikovsky s Swan Lake. The Story is sad and Beautiful. Prince Siegfried the future ruler of a magical kingdom is of Marriageable age and very reluctant to take a Bride of his Mother s choosing. One night while Hunting for swans at a Lake near his Castle he meets the Swan Queen Odette. Siegfried is enchanted by the Beautiful Swan and learns that she is actually a Princess. An evil sorcerer has put a spell on her and her Maidens which transforms them into swans during the Day. Only at night Are they allowed to regain their human form for a few precious hours. Siegfried Falls in love with Odette and swears to be True to her forever. He invites her to a Ball at the Castle but she sadly declines. During the Ball Siegfried s Mother tries again to tempt her son into finally taking a Bride. But he stays uninterested until a couple of mysterious visitors arrive a the evil sorcerer in disguise and a girl in Black who looks exactly like Siegfried s beloved Swan Queen. Siegfried is fascinated by the Beautiful girl Odile who does everything in her Power to seduce him. He thinks this girl in Black is his Odette and finally pronounces that he will wed her. At this moment the real Odette appears outside the Castle s window and Siegfried realizes that he has made a grave mistake. He runs to the Lake to ask Odette s forgiveness but the evil sorcerer Calls up a storm which threatens to drown Odette and her Maidens who still have not regained their Swan form. Siegfried jumps into the Lake to save his beloved. Through his willingness to risk his own life for his love he Breaks the spell and they live happily Ever after. It is without a doubt a Challenge to Tell this Story without the use of words. But the dancers accomplished this difficult task with excellence. Prima Ballerina Irina schist Dakowa dazzled the audience with her portrayal of Odette s suffering and later of Odile s cunning. Both parts Are traditionally danced by the same dancer magnificent costumes and artful scenery helped to Complete the illusion of an enchanted place. This masterful performance proved beyond any doubt that russian dancers Are still the Best world Ballet has to offer. The grand corps de Ballet of Leningrad performs Swan Lake throughout Europe through the end of january. Check the Quot on stage Quot listing on pages 14-15 for tour dates and venues. The grand corps de Ballet of Leningrad is on tour in Europe with Peter Tchaikovsky s Swan Lake. The tale tells the Story of Prince Siegfried who Falls in love with Odette the Swan Queen opposite Page left and below. Their Romance is thwarted by Redbear the evil sorcerer far left. Above the court. Jester leads the guests in a dance during the Ball. A amps photos by Mike Abrams november 29, 1990 stripes Magazine 9