Corps shines in National Ballet of Canada’s Swan Lake

National Ballet of Canada in Swan Lake

Genevieve Penn Nabity and Ben Rudisin in Swan Lake

Ben Rudisin and Genevieve Penn Nabity in Swan Lake

By Gianmarco Segato, 10 March 2025

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“over the top anthropomorphic headdresses and a gown for the Queen that resembles a parade float”

Reviewed at Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto on 8 March 2025

Swan Lake (Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Erik Bruhn, Karen Kain, Christopher Stowell, Robert Binet)

National Ballet of Canada

Karen Kain, Director

Gabriela Týlešová, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Bonnie Beecher, Lighting Designer

Genevieve Penn Nabity, Dancer

Ben Rudisin, Dancer

Peng-Fei Jiang, Dancer

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a feast of excellent dancing

Naomi Mori, 25th April

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a gem in the repertoire, despite shortcomings in the plot. Lavish production designs, stunning classical choreography and excellent dancers makes this a ballet lover's heaven.

*****

Acosta's Don Quixote for BRB: polished but not quite enough panache

Jonathan Gray, 23rd April

Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote for Birmingham Royal Ballet returned to Sadler's Wells with polished but low-key interpretations across the board.

***11

Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

Vikki Jane Vile, 17th April

Norwegian National Ballet gives a marvellous rendition of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Opening night in Oslo was a strong argument for its place in any season, displaying ballet escapism at its best.

****1

José Martínez unveils his latest Don Quichotte in Palermo

Vito Lentini, 29th March

José Martínez has envisioned a Don Quichotte that recalls the original 19th century choreography while also acknowledging some of the notable 20th century versions and it's splendid looking.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's reimagined La Bayadère triumphs

Mark Vicente, 26th March

Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

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Gianmarco Segato

Arts writer, administrator and singer Gianmarco Segato is Assistant Editor for La Scena Musicale. He was Associate Artist Manager for opera at Dean Artists Management and, from 2017-2022, Editorial Director of Opera Canada magazine. Previous to that he was Adult Programs Manager with the Canadian Opera Company. Gianmarco is an intrepid classical music traveler with a special love of Prague and Budapest as well as an avid cyclist and cook.

Corps shines in National Ballet of Canada’s aesthetically muddled Swan Lake