Ballet

A Swan Lake

Johan Inger

After his acclaimed literary adaptations of »Carmen« and »Peer Gynt«, Johan Inger now turns to a classic ballet that will reveal yet another facet of his art: »Swan Lake«. In 2023, the Swedish choreographer has reinterpreted this great work for Semperoper Ballett and, in so doing, addressed some profound questions: How are personal relationships affected by violence and manipulation?

And what roles do personal freedom, respect and acceptance play in a loving relationship?

»Der geraubte Schleier« (The Stolen Veil) from Johann Karl August Musäusʼs collection of »German Folk Stories« (1784) is believed to be one of the inspirations behind the popular narrative ballet. This fairy tale, partly set in the Ore Mountains near the »Swan City« of Zwickau, provides an exciting alternative to the traditional interpretation of »Swan Lake«. Based on this story and accompanied by a new arrangement of Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky’s music, Johan Inger has devised a choreographic reinterpretation of Musäusʼs fantastic tale revolving around the motif of the swan-maiden.

Ballet in two acts

World premiere

Premiere
9. December 2023,

No further performances in the current season.

Premiere cast

Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden

Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation

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Stücktrailer

»A Swan Lake«

With A Swan Lake by Johan Inger the audience can experience a new and extraordinary interpretation of the Swan Lake story. Inger’s libretto is based on a story that was supposedly the basis of the first version of Swan Lake from 1877 - the folk tale The Stealing of the Veil set around the Saxon swan city Zwickau. Based on this story and accompanied by a new arrangement of Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky’s music, Johan Inger has devised a choreographic reinterpretation of this fantastic tale revolving around the motif of the swan-maiden.

A Swan Lake – Making-of

Following his successful literature adaptations of Carmen and Peer Gynt, Johan Inger @johaninger is now dedicating himself to a real ballet classic: A Swan Lake. For Semperoper Ballett, the Swedish choreographer has created a new interpretation, based on the tale The Stealing of the Veil (1784) from Johann Karl August Musäus‘s fairy-tale collection. Inger addresses profound questions about violence, manipulation and their influence on interpersonal relationships. The production also takes up important themes such as personal freedom, respect and acceptance in romantic relationships.
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