Dutch National Ballet
Swan Lake
CLASSIC
Dates
22 Mar-18 Apr ’23
Location
Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage
Running time
3:25, incl. 2 intervals
Tickets
From €25

The ballet of ballets
Big, full-length classical ballets form an essential part of Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire. Over the past sixty years, the company has presented many successful international productions, but has also produced its own interpretations of the classics. One of the most important milestones along the way was Rudi van Dantzig’s Swan Lake from 1988, which is still regarded worldwide as one of the most beautiful versions of this ‘ballet of ballets’.
Dutch National Opera & Ballet recommends that children be at least 10 years old for this performance.
Photo: Marta Syrko
Credits
Choreography Rudi van Dantzig, after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, in cooperation with Toer van Schayk
Set and costumes Toer van Schayk
Music Pjotr Iljitsj Tsjaikovski
Musical accompaniment Dutch National Ballet Orchestra conducted by Matthew Rowe
Change in box office opening hours
Please note our box office opening hours will change on March 1.
Ticket prices
Check out the ticket prices per price category via the link below.
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Rudi van Dantzig
2023 is the ninetieth anniversary of the birth of Rudi van Dantzig (1933 - 2012). For over twenty years, he was the artistic director of Dutch National Ballet, which he forged into a united family. His ballets – he choreographed more than forty for the company – demonstrate great social engagement and a perpetual ‘quest for the unattainable’. His most famous works include Four Last Songs, Monument for a dead boy, Onder mijne voeten and his acclaimed versions of the full-length classical ballets Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake.
The Story of Swan Lake
In short
On his 18th birthday, Prince Siegfried hears his life as a bachelor will soon come to an end and decides to go on one last ramble through the woods with his friend Alexander. It is there that a sorcerer, in the guise of a bird of prey, summons the swan queen Odette, who assumes a human form. Surrounded by such purity, Siegfried swears his eternal loyalty to Odette. However, when the black swan Odile is among the potential brides presented to Siegfried, he believes she is Odette and offers her his ring. Once he realises that he has made a mistake and betrayed Odette, he rushes back to the lake in desperation ...
Trailer Swan Lake


Dutch National Ballet Orchestra
Dutch Ballet Orchestra’s mission is ‘to inspire movement in dance’. Since its inception in 1965, the orchestra has been the proud musical partner of Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater. In every performance, the orchestra searches for inspiring synergy between music and dance, in order to give the audience a magical experience.
Introduction
Almost every performance at Dutch National Opera & Ballet is preceded by an introduction, with background information that can deepen your theatre visit. The introductions are in Dutch and admission is free by showing a valid ticket.
Introduction Swan Lake by:
Lin van Ellinckhuijsen (22, 23, 30 March, 1, 2, 6, 14, 15 and 18 April)
Klaas Backx (25, 26, 28 March, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 12 April)
Time: 45 minutes before the start of each performance
Location: 2nd balcony

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