Big turnout for Swan Lake ballet concert

Hundreds turned out to watch Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts’ ballet concert on the first night of the performance last Saturday evening at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Community members got a taste of one of Russia’s most famous 19th century ballets, Swan Lake, with the international and local cast taking turns mesmerizing the crowd with their grace and beauty.

The concert was held for two days, Saturday and Sunday.

Swan Lake, most often referred to as the ballet of ballets, is based on an old Russian folktale that tells the story of Odette, a princess who was turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse.

The concert showcased four excerpts of Swan Lake, with international ballet stars Margarita Rudina and Alexey Nasadovich performing the main characters of Princess Odette (she performed two roles) and Prince Siegfried, respectively.

About 50 other performers took part in the weekend concert.

Performance started with the children dancing and playing in the palace courtyard. Soon after Prince Sigfried came out with his mother the Queen, played by Helen Bucher. The Queen gives him a crossbow, and the prince leaves for the woods to hunt.

In scene 2, Prince Siegfried finds himself alone in a peaceful spot by an enchanted lake where swans—played by the young ballerinas—floated on the surface. While he watches he spots the most beautiful swan with a crown on its head. She then turns into the most beautiful young woman Prince Siegfried has ever seen.

In scene 3, Prince Siegfried is presented with prospective princesses from different countries, but all he could think about was Princess Odette. Von Rothbart (performed by David Bucher), the evil sorcerer, brings his daughter, Odile (again performed by Rudina) whom Rothbart has placed a spell on to look like Odette.

In scene 4, Prince Siegfried chases after Rothbart and a fight starts, he defeats Rothbart and the spell is lifted and all the swans turn back into women.

The second part of the concert had several pieces performed by Rudina and Nasadovich including a solo by their daughter, Eva Nasadovich, who is currently a student at the No.1 ballet school in the world, the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Contemporary performances were performed as well by the couple and Glushko Academy’s advance ballet performers.

Dr. Gene Eagle-Oden, founder and president of Performing Arts Society, said the turnout was great.

“This is a very big crowd and just having them here is a great honor and treat. We’d also like to thank Rudina, Nasadovich, and their daughter for visiting Saipan to put on a true performance of true ballet stars,” he said.

The concert’s sponsors were Bank of Guam, First Hawaiian Bank, Mango Resort Saipan, Blue Lagoon Realty, Bridge Capital, Pete Shilling and “Associate Insurance”, Bank of Saipan, Bank of Hawaii, Alex Aquiningoc, Pacific Trading Co. Saipan, La Trattoria Restaurant, Pacific Island Club Saipan, 360 Restaurant, Pacifica Subsea, Marianas Eye Institute, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Paradise Hotel, and Coca-Cola.