According to renowned ballerina Tamara Rojo, “Swan Lake” is every ballerina’s dream and one of the most popular ballets of all time. This ballet is not just a story about swans, but a confrontation between two ideals: Odette, the white swan who symbolizes innocence and purity, and Odile, the black swan who embodies manipulation and seduction.
Rojo recounts her experience in this dual role, highlighting the great technical and emotional challenge that this ballet requires. The interpretation of these two characters is based on profound contrasts: the same movements are executed with different sensitivity and intensity, just as words in literature take on different meanings in different contexts.
She notes that, while this ballet is emblematic of classical ballet, nothing about it is precisely defined – from Tchaikovsky’s lost score to the choreography passed down through generations. Yet its music remains a fascinating element, giving each ballerina room to make her interpretation unique.
Exploring the history of ballet, Rojo mentions that “Swan Lake” is inspired by old legends and 19th-century fairy tales, where the world of aristocracy and the supernatural are intertwined. Prince Siegfried, like Odette and Odile, is a troubled soul, caught between the reality of obligations and the desire for freedom. In this contrast lies the eternal power of this ballet, which continues to captivate audiences around the world.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE6WRMIq1kM
