Review on St. Petersburg Swan Lake Ballet @ Mediacorp MES Theatre

1 Stars Avenue Level 1, Mediacorp Campus, Singapore 138507

Tel: 6333 3888

Website: https://www.vizpro.sg/en/event/dance/the-st-petersburg-ballet---swan-lake-9455032

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MESTheatre.Mediacorp

Period: 8 May to 13 May 2018

Duration: 2.5 hours with 2 intermissions

Ticket Pricing: $175 / $145 / $115 / $75

I was excited when Swan Lake was returning to Singapore, and had been torn between the performance by ABC Troupe (American) or St. Petersburg (Russian). In the end I decided to go for the latter, since the origins of Swan Lake seems to come from Russia, dated back to the year 1875.

The much-anticipated ballet performance was held at MES Theatre at Mediacorp Campus; it was also the first time I attended a performance there. Service crew was polite but I didn't like that the seats were so cramped - minimum leg space and I was so close to the people sitting beside me I could smell their odours!

What to expect from Swan Lake performance itself? A tragically romantic story by Tchaikovsky's - of sorcery, beauty and gorgeous settings (mainly the haunting lakeside and stunning palace). It involves Prince Siegfried's love story with beautiful Swan Princess Odette, and his infidelity with Odile - daughter of evil sorcerer Baron van Rothbart. Prima ballerina Irina Kolesnikova herself took center stage, mesmerizing the audience with her ethereal moves.

Music was fabulous and the ballet dance moves were of course, graceful and fascinating to look at. Coordination was good, and costumes were gorgeous as well.

Overall, I enjoyed the Swan Lake performance and it was certainly a great start of the weekend for me.

Review on Giselle Ballet at Mastercard Theatres @ Marina Bay

10 Bayfront Avenue  #B1/F The Shoppes at Marina Bay, Singapore 018956

Tel:  6688 8868

Website: http://entertainment.marinabaysands.com/events/giselle0417

Facebook: https://goo.gl/PgIOf0

Dates: 26th April to 29th April 2017

Duration: 120 minutes (including 20 minute intermission)

Tickets: SGD$65.00 / SGD$85.00 / SGD$115.00 / SGD$145.00 / SGD$175.00 / SGD$225.00

Straight from the oldest theatre in the world - the San Carlos Theatre of Naples and Ballet Company, an Italian troupe brought the tragic romance of Giselle alive on haunting stage settings.

What started out as an endearing romance depicting a happy and beautiful peasant girl, Giselle (played by Ekaterina Oleynik), slowly unfolded toward the darker edges.

Not only was her lover Lord Albrecht (played by Giuseppe Picone) not a peasant as he pretended to be, he was also betrothed to someone else. Giselle died of a broken heart.

The settings transformed into a dark, beguiling forest haunted by the Wilis vengeful spirits of abandoned brides, who danced men to death. The ghostly backdrop was inspired by poet and author Theophile Gautier.

Passionate, stunning and graceful, accompanied by lovely music by French composer Aldolphe Adam, this was an immensely enjoyable performance.