Natalia Osipova as Odette
(Picture: Bill Cooper)With its fairytale spells, love-struck prince and flock of enchanted maidens, Swan Lake may seem an unlikely vehicle for rebellion, yet since its 1877 premiere this four-act tutu classic has been entwined with Russia’s turbulent history. In the 1920s, the Soviets tinkered with its tragic ending to better reflect communist values, while in 1991 it became linked to the fall of the USSR after an attempt to block news of an attempted coup led to the ballet being beamed across state TV for three solid days.
In recent years, it has morphed into a potent symbol of resistance to Putin, with cygnet graffiti popping up in St Petersburg after the 2018 presidential elections. Two months ago, when TV station Dozhd closed over its coverage of the Ukraine conflict, its staff made an anti-war plea as they walked off set for the final time – before swiftly cutting to archive Swan Lake footage. Every Russian understood the jibe.
