A Message from the Artistic Director

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA | Artistic Director

Dear Friends and Ballet Enthusiasts,

I am filled with joy as we prepare to unveil a remarkable new production of Swan Lake, featuring the stunning choreography of Benjamin Pech. This version promises to breathe fresh life into a timeless classic, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome it into our repertoire.

Our stage will be transformed by a striking new set designed by Italo Grassi, whose intriguing brutalist architecture sets the story amidst the captivating aesthetic of the 1950s. Complementing this vision are the exquisite costumes crafted by Gianluca Falaschi and beautifully handmade in Italy by Atelier D’Inzillo. Together, they create a visual feast that will transport you into the enchanting world of Swan Lake.

We are also thrilled to collaborate with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of the talented Marcelo Spaccarotella, who joins us from La Scala in Milan. This partnership enriches our production, enhancing the emotional depth of Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.

This production is further enriched by the guest appearance of Paul Marque, Étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet and who joins Principal Dancer Luna Sasaki for the March 13 and 14 evening performances. Exchanges of this stature resonate far beyond a single evening. For me, welcoming artists of this international calibre is one of the most meaningful ways a company can grow – energizing our dancers, sharpening standards, and leaving a lasting imprint on the artistry audiences experience across the run.

As I reflect on this incredible project, I am filled with gratitude and pride. This production is not just a performance; it is a milestone that lights the path toward a vibrant future for Alberta Ballet. Together, we are building a legacy of artistry and excellence that will resonate for years to come.

Thank you for joining us on this beautiful journey. I am excited for you to experience Swan Lake in all its glory.

With heartfelt appreciation,

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

A Message from the Choreographer

BENJAMIN PECH | Choreographer

Dear Friends,

Swan Lake is one of those rare works that inhabits the collective memory like a lingering dream. Tchaikovsky’s music is its breath – a deep, timeless wave that flows across generations and continues to stir the imagination.

This ballet has accompanied my artistic journey from the very beginning. It is an inner landscape whose every path I know, and it is the first work through which I began my choreographic re-reading of the classical repertoire.

When Francesco Ventriglia invited me to collaborate with Alberta Ballet, we initially considered a different piece. But very quickly, the desire to adapt my Swan Lake for this company became evident – a long-awaited encounter with the Canadian troupe. A true challenge, which Francesco embraced by asking me to create a new production featuring costumes by Gianluca Falaschi and sets by Italo Grassi.

Swan Lake is one of the rare works in the repertoire where the dramatic action unfolds through the prism of its central character, Siegfried. The psychological layers of this reluctant hero are so complex that they make the role one of the deepest to interpret. I chose to transpose the action to a more recent era – the 1950s – in order to illuminate differently the soul of this fragile prince, lost within his own reality. Everything is seen through him: his doubts, his impulses, his fragility. He encounters Odette – an elusive apparition, half woman, half swan – and believes he has found in her a truth the world denies him.

At the center of this vision, betrayal becomes the heart of the drama. Benno, seemingly a loyal friend, reveals himself as the lurking shadow, the dark force that hastens Siegfried’s downfall. Between these two male presences, Odette struggles to break the spell that binds her, suspended by the fragile promise of a love capable of setting her free. She will pay a heavy price.

Through this collaboration with Alberta Ballet, I continue my ambition to bring a repertoire and a tradition to life while inscribing them within a more contemporary modernity. The enthusiasm of this company, its energy, and its determination to uphold the demands of the classical repertoire carried me deeply throughout these six weeks of rehearsals.

Alberta Ballet: this Swan Lake is yours.

BENJAMIN PECH
CHOREOGRAPHER

The Story

PROLOGUE

Wandering through the woods, the young Princess Odette encounters a man, his face hidden under a cloak, with a crossbow in his hands. She greets him, but the man disappears behind a ruin. A creature, half man, half bird of prey, appears, captures the princess and transforms her into a swan.

ACT I

On the occasion of the coming of age of Prince Siegfried, a group of courtiers, headed by his best friend Benno, decide to celebrate on the eve of the ball organised in his honour. They enjoy themselves in a jolly atmosphere, but the revelries are abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the Queen Mother.

She tells her son that the time has come for him to rule the Kingdom. She presents him with the gift of a crossbow, a symbol of his royalty, and before leaving, reminds him that the priority for a future king is to get married.

Siegfried is upset by the ultimatum imposed by the Queen. At nightfall, when Benno sees the melancholic Prince lost in his thoughts, he suggests they go hunting together in the woods. Siegfried takes the crossbow and follows his friend into the forest.

ACT II

In the woods, Siegfried loses sight of Benno. While looking for Benno, Siegfried sees the sudden appearance of a white swan resembling a girl and wearing a small crown. Siegfried is captivated and moves closer to her.

She tells him that she is a princess, that her name is Odette and that she has been transformed into a swan. She with other young girls are victims of a spell cast on them by a mysterious man who transforms into a bird of prey after dark. The spell can be broken only by a man who will give her his love and marry her.

Siegfried is touched by Odette’s story and promises to save her. Odette and Siegfried exchange a promise of love, despite attempts by a rapacious bird to disturb their intimate conversation.

At the first light of dawn Odette turns into a swan once more and disappears. The Prince is in love.

ACT III

In the palace, the Butler starts the celebrations. The Queen has invited four young women among whom she hopes her son will choose a future bride. Prince Siegfried seems aloof and not interested in the world around him, even as the young women dance folk ballets with the hopes of catching the Prince’s attention. The Queen asks her son to choose his future bride, but their conversation is interrupted. Benno has arrived bringing with him a mysterious woman who looks incredibly like Odette. Siegfried is bewitched by the young woman, believing her to be Odette. Benno persuades him to choose her as his bride.

The mysterious woman is Odile, a young woman altered to be a mirror image of Odette. Benno has invited her to the palace to deceive his friend. Benno has always been jealous of Siegfried, a feeling he has concealed all his life.

Siegfried falls into Benno’s trap and asks Odile to marry him. With Benno’s deceitful triumph, Seigfried has broken his promise to Odette and can no longer save her.

Siegfried realises he loses forever the person he loves most.

ACT IV

Benno is at the centre of the scene. In his hands, he has the crossbow given by the Queen to Siegfried. He is targeting the swans.

Odette, realising that the spell cast upon her is not going to be broken, cries for her lost love. She is doomed to remain a swan forever.

Siegfried arrives, tormented by remorse, and begs Odette to forgive him, but it’s too late Benno provokes Siegfried with the crossbow. Siegfried, filled with anger over his friend’s betrayal, wrestles the crossbow from him and takes aim. Benno dodges the arrow, leaving Odette in its path. She is mortally wounded.

Siegfried’s dreams are broken: he is devastated by the loss of his beloved and by the betrayal of his best friend. Benno is crushed by guilt and overwhelmed by his plotting. Siegfried, in his quiet majesty, does not condemn him but answers with grace. He withholds vengeance, not because the loss is small, but because the memory of Odette deserves better than another act of ruin.

Swan Lake
Creative Team

Music Credits

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake
Performed by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (Mar 13 – 15)

Recorded music (Mar 20-21): Tchaikovsky's SWAN LAKE (CRITICAL EDITION BY KURT DAMIES) By arrangement with B&H Music Publishing Inc., U.S., Canada, and Latin America agent for Baerenreiter Music Corp., publisher and copyright owner. Music Recording License provided by Universal Music Canada

Live music for Swan Lake is supported in part by Calgary Arts Development through funding from the City of Calgary and by the Alberta Ballet Foundation.

Swan Lake
Casting

Alberta Ballet Dancers

Alberta Ballet Artistic Team

Alberta Ballet Artistic Support

Company Teachers | Francesco Ventriglia, Yoshiya Sakurai, Hayna Gutierrez,
Class Pianists | Lorel Leal, Michael Li
Rehearsal Pianists | Michael Li
Physiotherapy | Peak Health and Performance
Stage Manager | Marisa Mireau
Second Stage Manager | Ingrid Kottke
Apprentice Stage Manager | Kade Mazury

Production Team

Technical Director | Jason McLellan
Head Carpenter | Brian Chmielewski
Lead Fly | Kevin Green
Lead Props | Cassandra Thorbjornsen
Lead Lighting | Chris Axford
Second Lighting | Oliver Petti
Lead Wardrobe | Erin LeBaron
Second Wardrobe | Lori McMahon
Wardrobe Cutter | Sarah Cameron
Stitchers | Hannah-Lee Harris, Karen Crocker
Scenic Painter | Patrick O’Neill

Stage Technicians provided by IATSE Local 212.
Costumes made by the D’Inzillo Sweet Mode atelier in Rome.

The Alberta Ballet Foundation:
More than what you see on stage

The Alberta Ballet Foundation is part of the vital network of supporters and funders who help make this vision possible. This support sustains scholarships, outreach, and artistic initiatives. From training young dancers to bringing ballet to new audiences, these programs keep the art form thriving.

Support the Magic
When you give to Alberta Ballet, you help bring world‑class dance to our stages and spark creativity across our community. Your generosity ensures that the beauty, artistry, and impact of ballet continue to inspire audiences of all ages.

Ways You Can Make a Difference

  • One-Time or Monthly Gifts
    Every donation – large or small – supports our dancers, productions, and community programs. Monthly gifts provide steady, reliable support all year long.

  • Donor-Advised Funds
    Recommend a grant to Alberta Ballet through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF). It’s a simple, tax‑effective way to support the arts and make a lasting impact.

  • Legacy & Planned Giving
    Create a meaningful legacy through a gift in your will or other planned giving options, ensuring that future generations can experience the power of dance.

  • Corporate Giving & Partnership
    Partner with Alberta Ballet to elevate your brand, support our productions, and engage with audiences across Alberta.

  • Gifts of Securities
    Increase your impact with tax‑efficient gifts of publicly traded securities.

Alberta Ballet Foundation Funds managed by

ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2025/26

Few ballets command the stage with the power and elegance of Swan Lake. The sweeping movement of the corps de ballet, the emotional depth of Odette and Siegfried’s love story, and the tension of the Black Swan’s deception make it one of the most captivating works in the classical repertoire. Our production follows the beloved Petipa/Ivanov tradition while embracing the bold vision of Benjamin Pech, a former étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet. Your support allowed us to create a production that offers a fresh take on a timeless masterpiece with evocative designs and powerful performances. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to our Dance Circle Members, Subscribers, and audience members for your ongoing generosity.

Dance Circle Membership $1,500

Patron Program $5,000 +

If you’re a passionate Alberta Ballet subscriber, consider taking part in our donor activities.

To learn more, please contact us at Gifts@AlbertaBallet.com.

A whole community is working behind-the-scenes,
helping us inspire you with dance!

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2025)

2025/26 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS