For ballerina, ‘Swan Lake’ still Russian to the corps
Are the only versions of the great Russian classical ballets worth seeing danced by Russian companies?
“Yes - and no,” said Diana Vishneva, the 30-year-old prima ballerina. She’s one of the stars performing the dual role of Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake” with the Kirov Ballet tomorrow through Sunday at the Wang Theatre....

Kirov’s ‘Swan Lake’ brims with elegance
... the Kirov Ballet ... will perform its extraordinary Soviet-era version of “Swan Lake” -- with a happy ending. Yes, prince Siegfried and his swan maiden Odette don’t die.
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But however controversial the altered climax, Sergeyev’s “Swan Lake” is considered by many to be one of the most artistically satisfying interpretations. In part, that’s because it maintains the legacy of the definitive Petipa-Ivanov choreography, whose simplified concept lets the dancing and drama shine through, free of extraneous sequences and characters.

Stripped of tragedy, Kirov’s ‘Swan Lake’ still dazzles
If you’ve never seen “Swan Lake,” now’s the time. The famed Kirov Ballet and Orchestra is in town, and the company’s signature production of the ballet lays claim to a legacy that extends back to its premiere in 1895.
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Historic import aside, however, the Kirov’s production is breathtakingly gorgeous, from the opulent costumes to the alluring sets, especially the opening scene’s gold-tinged, tree-framed park in the shadow of the great castle.

Kirov turns in a beautiful ‘Swan’
As 32 Swan Maidens from the Kirov Ballet filled the Wang Theatre’s huge stage in the famous Act Two lakeside scene of “Swan Lake” on Thursday, not a feather or foot out of place, it was hard not to think: It doesn’t get any better than this.
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Let there be no doubts: The dancing on Thursday was sublime at every level. The 11th Swan on the left, for instance, danced with the same extraordinary suppleness and dazzlingly complete technical freedom as the stars