Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov in Russia in 1895, Swan Lake tells the story of Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with Odette, a princess cursed by the evil sorcerer von Rothbart to become a swan by daylight. While Siegfried’s love of Odette could break the spell, he is tricked into instead pledging his love to Odile, the sorcerer’s daughter, who is disguised as Odette. What unfolds is a tale of love, transformation, and ultimate forgiveness.

ABT premiered its first full-length Swan Lake in 1967 with a version choreographed by David Blair. Blair’s rendition of the classic tale blazed the trail for what would become ABT’s most popular ballet.

It was in 2000 when then Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie’s Swan Lake came to life. Featuring Julie Kent as Odette/Odile and Angel Corella as Prince Siegfried in its March 2000 World Premiere at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., McKenzie’s Swan Lake was based on the 1895 version while also including changes that made the show uniquely ABT’s own.

The New York Times outlined the changes in an article leading up to the New York Premiere of the production, which included the addition of a prologue to give Odette’s backstory. Evil sorcerer von Rothbart was reimagined as a split personality, with two dancers sharing the role. McKenzie even positioned Prince Siegfried as the focus of the story, rather than Odette, the Swan Queen.

”In my mind, the Swan’s story is done.The story happens to Siegfried, not the Swan. He can’t marry his ideal to reality. That is the tragedy,” McKenzie explained.

Upon its Kennedy Center debut, The Wall Street Journal said McKenzie’s Swan Lake gave “the 123-year-old ballet fresh splendor, depth and momentum” and that it glided “to the forefront of stagings all over the world.” When the ballet debuted in New York, The New York Times declared McKenzie’s Swan Lake “the blockbuster production of the dance season” and said that “all its new and traditional components fell into place” when Nina Ananiashvili and Julio Bocca danced the leading roles. The production was a true spectacle, with more than 300 costumes, forty-four Swan tutus, and wide acclaim for both sets and lighting.

Since then, McKenzie’s Swan Lake has been a staple in ABT’s repertoire, playing to packed houses year after year. Experience the ballet during ABT’s 2025 Summer season at the Metropolitan Opera House and enjoy the photos of this magical ballet from over the years at ABT.