Swan Lake
Premier: 28th of September 2007.
Dramaturge: András Almási-Tóth
Costumes: Andrea Földi
Lights: Ferenc Stadler
Directed and choreographed by Tamás Juronics
Dancing swan girls in white tutus is unquestionably classical ballet's emblematic symbol, as is Swan Lake, a timeless classic that everyone is familiar with. But, really what is in the depths (lake) of its meaning behind the story? An anguished spirit, it is about Tchaikovsky's vision, through symbols, of longing, of solitude and love, of death, of dreams and reality. It is the crisis ridden character, desperately looking for her freedom played out in the form of a surreal story, that influences the most primal regions of our psyche, which in turn can only be approached and understood with the help and guiding hand of the world of symbols.
The swan is the symbol of clarity and wisdom, connected with music, poetry and the ability to look into the future. According to one legend the swan feels her approaching death and welcomes it by singing. This is the swan feels her approaching death and welcomes it by singing. This is why the swan is also the symbol of blissful death and rebirth. In Roman mythology the swan is the symbol of faithful love. In alchemy the swan is the symbol of clarity, as well as being the symbol of the unification of the opposing elements of fire and water, in which it archaically encompasses the idea of hermaphrodism. This is why the swan can appear as both male and female. Men and Gods change into the form of a swan in many varying mythologies. What can this archaic symbol mean for us? What feelings and associations does it arise within us?
This complex, multi leveled psychological story is reinterpreted by Tamás Juronics for the 21st century audience, inevitably introducing it into our collective "psycho-stories". The production is part of the Szeged Contemporary Dance Company's 20th anniversary celebration series.
