Illusions – like Swan Lake

John Neumeier's ballet "Illusions – like Swan Lake" was premiered in 1976. The character of the king, its central figure, is based on King Ludwig II of Bavaria as well as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the ballet's composer.

Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography and Staging: John Neumeier
Choreography "Second Remembrance" after Lev Ivanov, reconstruction with the collaboration of Alexandra Danilova
Choreography of the Grand Pas de deux in the "Third Remembrance" after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
Set and Costumes: Jürgen Rose

2 hours 50 minutes | 1 intermission
Part 1: 80 minutes, Part 2: 55 minutes

PREMIERE:
The Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg, May 2, 1976

ORIGINAL CAST:
The King: Max Midinet
Princess Natalia: Persephone Samaropoulo
The Man in the Shadow: Fred Howald
Odette: Magali Messac
Princess Claire: Marianne Kruuse
Count Alexander: Truman Finney
Prince Siegfried: Eugen Ivanics
The Queen Mother: Beatrice Cordua
Prince Leopold: Victor Hughes

ON TOUR:
1978 Munich 2000 Paris 1994 Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Yokohama

IN THE REPERTORY:
Bavarian State Ballet
Dresden Semperoper Ballett