Maria Mosina and Igor Vassine have given area audiences many memorable moments on stage during their lengthy tenures with the Colorado Ballet, but their exquisite performances in a newly opened production of “Swan Lake” reach a new high.
The veteran principals, who have to be counted among the top duos in American regional ballet, display their usual impeccable technique: Mosina nailing the celebrated 32 fouettes (fast whipping spins on one leg) in Act 2 or coming very close to it (it’s easy to lose count).
But their performances (reviewed Friday evening) go much further than mere technical virtuosity. The expressive Mosina poignantly conveys the pathos and vulnerability of Odette, who through the sorcery of Baron Von Rothbart (Gregory Gonzales) has been transformed into a swan — a spell that only true love can dispel.
The two dancers bring out the best in each other. Their partnering is fluid and natural, the two connecting on a profound, instinctive level, each knowing exactly what to expect of the other.
When the two finished their stunning love duet in Act 2, it was as though audience members had been holding their collective breath during this intimate interchange. And they let it out with a giant, spontaneous burst of applause.
Mosina and Vassine (one of three duos taking turns in the central roles) are reason enough to see this production, which runs for 12 performances through Oct. 26, but they are hardly the only reason.
The Colorado Ballet has put together an impeccably staged, smartly executed version of “Swan Lake,” which hews to the storied traditions of this enduring 19th-century classic.
Artistic director Gil Boggs promised an opulent production, and he delivers, with a total of about 50 dancers taking part, including a bounteous complement of 26 swan maidens on stage during Act 2.
The conventional Peter Cazalet-designed sets and costumes are on loan from Ballet West in Salt Lake City. If the sets are effective enough but hardly knockouts, many of the costumes are stunning, including the swan tutus and Von Rothbart’s shimmering birdlike apparel.
Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner, two former principal dancers with the American Ballet Theatre in New York City, coached the dancers and also supplied new choreography for the waltz in Act 1 and all of Act 4.
The two managed to bring a sense of freshness to these sections, while dutifully staying within the style and spirit of the original 1895 version of “Swan Lake,” by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.
Act 4 is cleanly composed with several inspired moments, especially the clever shifting threesomes. Best of all, there is no revisionist happy ending — both principals jump in the lake and die, the prince’s final act of devotion breaking Von Rothbart’s spell.
The smartly rehearsed corps de ballet, which is critical to the success or failure of this work, deserves praise in that final section and Act 2 for its well-synchronized, well- spaced performances.
Another of the duos appearing in the principal roles (reviewed Sunday afternoon) — Chandra Kuykendall and Alexei Tyukov — inevitably suffer in comparison with Mosina and Vassine, but they hold their own.
The ever-improving Kuykendall does not — at least not yet — possess the presence and technical command of Mosina. Perhaps because of nerves, she seemed tentative in Act 2, but came out stronger in Act 3, ably conveying Odile’s evil pleasure in having deceived the prince.
The solo efforts in smaller roles are solid throughout. Standouts include the acrobatic Viacheslav Buchkovskiy as Benno (the prince’s friend) and Asuka Sasaki and Shelby Dyer, two of the Pas de Trois Ladies.
Also deserving note are the four dancers who deliver a sure-footed, high-energy version of the audience-pleasing Act 2 pas de quatre — Dana Benton, Caitlin Valentine, Casey Dalton and Sasaki.
In short, the Colorado Ballet’s “Swan Lake” takes wing and soars.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
“Swan Lake”
Ballet. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets. The Colorado Ballet presents a large-scale production of the most popular of all classical ballets. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with six additional performances through Oct. 26. 2 hours, 45 minutes. $19-$145. 303-837-8888 or .
