Pauline Adamek
Considered one of the most important and iconic ballets in the classical repertoire, Swan Lake represents a perfect storm of music, dance, and drama. Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and first staged on March 4, 1877, at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia, the ballet’s premiere was not a success. Swan Lake gained its iconic status only after it was revived in 1895 by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, after Tchaikovsky’s death. In hindsight, Tchaikovsky’s creation has helped redefine ballet as a serious, expressive art form.
Tchaikovsky’s music for Swan Lake (composed in 1875–76) was groundbreaking. Unlike earlier ballet scores, which often served as simple background music, Tchaikovsky’s score was symphonic, rich, and emotionally powerful. It elevated the role of music in ballet, influencing future composers and choreographers.
The celebrated 22nd season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center will conclude on a breathtaking note with the arrival of Boston Ballet, making its long-awaited debut at the venue. Under the artistic direction of Mikko Nissinen, the company will present five performances of the timeless ballet Swan Lake, from June 26 to June 29, 2025 at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
This production promises to be a dazzling interpretation of one of classical ballet’s most beloved works. Nissinen’s rendition honors the tradition of Swan Lake while bringing a fresh artistic vision to the stage, blending technical precision with expressive storytelling. Backed by Tchaikovsky’s memorable score and brought to life by a world-class ensemble, Boston Ballet’s Swan Lake is set to captivate both longtime ballet lovers and newcomers alike.
As the final performance series of the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center season, Swan Lake offers a majestic and emotionally rich farewell, closing out The Music Center’s dance lineup with elegance, power, and unforgettable artistry.
From the press release:
Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen’s exquisite production will leave Los Angeles audiences mesmerized by the company’s beautiful artistry and emotional power. With Swan Lake, Boston Ballet makes its long-awaited Music Center debut with a landmark artistic engagement.
A timeless story of love, betrayal and sacrifice, the ballet follows the Swan Queen Odette and Prince Siegfried through a world of romance, sorcery and deceit. The second act, originally choreographed by Lev Ivanov, is widely considered one of the finest pieces of classical choreography ever created for the corps de ballet. With Robert Perdziola’s impeccable set and costume designs as well as the soaring score by P.I. Tchaikovsky, the production showcases the technical precision and emotional tonality of the company’s dancers.
To elevate audiences’ experience of Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake, a live orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s masterful score, conducted by Boston Ballet Music Director Mischa Santora.
“We are thrilled to welcome Boston Ballet to The Music Center for the first time! Mikko Nissinen’s rendition of Swan Lake is a testament to the enduring resonance of classical ballet and its ability to move audiences. As one of the world’s premier ballet companies, Boston Ballet’s breathtaking performances of a timeless and enchanting tale will bring The Music Center’s 2024–2025 dance season to a splendid finale. Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake is a must-see for Angelenos and ballet lovers of all ages.”
Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center.
Since 1963, Boston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world-class dance education and community initiatives, have made the institution a leader in its field. The company has a 61-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Ming Min Hui, Boston Ballet maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from full-length ballets to new works by some of today’s finest choreographers.
Nissinen was appointed artistic director of Boston Ballet and Boston Ballet School in 2001. Born in Finland, he trained at The Finnish National Ballet School in Helsinki and the Kirov Ballet School in St. Petersburg, Russia. He danced professionally with The Finnish National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Basel Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, where he was a principal dancer for a decade. As artistic director of Boston Ballet, Nissinen has defined the company’s image, cultivating a compelling and dynamic collection of classical, neo-classical and contemporary repertoire. Firmly committed to developing the art form and the future of dance, Nissinen actively promotes progressive new works and creations.
“Swan Lake is one of the most iconic and beloved ballets in the classical repertoire, and I’m honored to bring this timeless masterpiece to Los Angeles. Touring is a vital part of Boston Ballet’s mission—it allows us to share our artistry beyond Boston and represent our home city on both national and international stages. We’re thrilled to add Los Angeles to the list of world-class cities where we’ve performed.”
Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen.
Boston Ballet’s 2025 Los Angeles tour has been made possible by a generous gift from the Lisa and Tom Blumenthal Artistic Innovation Fund.
Extending its residency beyond the theatre, Boston Ballet will lead a free outdoor movement workshop to engage Angelenos of all ages in the joy of movement on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Taught by two of the company’s artists, Associate Director of Boston Ballet II Joan Boada and Principal Dancer Chyrstyn Mariah Fentroy, the free special workshop “Plié & Play: A Swan Lake–Inspired Movement Workshop” is open to the public and will explore the elegance and expression of ballet in a fun, accessible way. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and to be ready to move—no dance experience or special attire needed!
Tickets to Boston Ballet are available for purchase now by visiting musiccenter.org/bostonballet or by calling (213) 972-0711.
BOSTON BALLET (Music Center Debut)
The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Thursday, June 26, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 29, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
Live Orchestra
Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake (2014)
Choreography: Adaptation and additional choreography by Mikko Nissinen, after original by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and Costume Design: Robert Perdziola
Lighting Design: Mark Stanley
Projection Design: Seághan McKay
Step into the enchanting world of Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake, a masterpiece of classical ballet that has mesmerized audiences for generations with elegant dancing, iconic music and a timeless tale of love and loss. The exquisite rendition by Boston Ballet’s artistic director follows the Swan Queen Odette and Prince Siegfried in a tale of romance, sorcery and deceit. The second act, originally choreographed by Lev Ivanov, is historically considered one of the finest pieces of classical choreography for the corps de ballet. The production showcases the technical precision and emotional tonality of the full company, brilliantly transformed by Robert Perdziola’s impeccable costume design and set to the timeless score by P.I. Tchaikovsky, which is performed by a live orchestra.
Tickets are available for purchase now by visiting musiccenter.org/bostonballet or by calling (213) 972-0711. The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
ABOUT GLORYA KAUFMAN PRESENTS DANCE AT THE MUSIC CENTER
Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, a TMC Arts program, is one of the leading presenters of dance on the West Coast. The celebrated series offers significant works by prestigious ballet and contemporary dance artists from around the world. Now in its 22ndyear, Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center is a powerful force, bringing works by today’s most influential companies and choreographers to audiences in Los Angeles. Performances are complemented by special experiences for both ticket buyers and the public with opportunities to learn more about the choreography and the themes explored, including panels, master classes, dance film festivals, interactive experiences and more. The 22nd season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center is generously supported by Glorya Kaufman Foundation, Center Dance Arts, Dorothy B. Chandler Program Fund and Elisabeth Katte Harris.
ABOUT CENTER DANCE ARTS
Center Dance Arts is a dynamic community of patrons with a passion for dance. Center Dance Arts members bring dance to life in Los Angeles by promoting The Music Center’s world-class dance performances, extensive educational outreach and free and low-cost community experiences so all may experience the transformative power of dance. For more information, visit musiccenter.org/cda.
ABOUT THE MUSIC CENTER
As L.A.’s performing arts center, The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident in Los Angeles County. The $80 million non-profit performing arts organization has two divisions: TMC Arts and TMC Ops. TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine, provides year-round programming inside The Music Center’s four theatres, on Jerry Moss Plaza, outside at Gloria Molina Grand Park—a 12-acre adjacent green space—in schools and other locations all over Los Angeles County. TMC Arts presents world-class dance with Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, free and low-cost public concerts and events, live and digital K–12 arts education programs, workshops, performances, interactive experiences and special events. TMC Ops manages the theatres, the Plaza and Gloria Molina Grand Park, which comprise $3 billion in county assets, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. The Music Center is also home to four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and LA Phil. For more information, visit musiccenter.org. Follow The Music Center on social media @MusicCenterLA
ABOUT BOSTON BALLET
Since 1963, Boston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world-class dance education and community engagement, have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 61-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Ming Min Hui, the Company, made up of 67 dancers and 14 nationalities, performs a diverse and acclaimed repertoire ranging from full-length classical ballets to masterworks by George Balanchine, and new works and world premieres by today’s finest contemporary choreographers.
Boston Ballet’s repertoire combines timeless classics such as Marius Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty, Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella, Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote, August Bournonville’s La Sylphide, Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake and Raymonda, John Cranko and John Neumeier ballets, with the imaginative visions of today’s most innovative choreographers including Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo, as well as William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Crystal Pite, Akram Khan, Wayne McGregor, Christopher Wheeldon, and Helen Pickett. In 2016, Boston Ballet began a partnership with internationally renowned choreographer William Forsythe and presented his full-length Artifact in 2017, and the world premieres of his Playlist (EP) in 2019 and Blake Works III (The Barre Project) in 2022.
The Company performs its full Boston season of six programs at the historic, 2,500-seat Citizens Opera House. Under Mikko Nissinen’s directorship, Boston Ballet’s national and international touring engagements have included Paris, New York City’s Lincoln Center, Washington DC’s Kennedy Center, London Coliseum, Helsinki, Spain, Ottawa’s National Arts Center, and Seoul, Korea.
Boston Ballet’s second company, Boston Ballet II, gains experience performing with the Company and independently. Boston Ballet’s Donna Egan Graduate program introduces young artists to the daily life of a professional dancer. Boston Ballet School provides exceptional dance training across four studios, reaching more than 5,000 students each year through its many core programs. Community education programs engage more than 4,000 individuals in Boston and surrounding regions.
For more information, please visit bostonballet.org.
