Swan Lake- Albano Ballet Company, Summer Dance at Mohegan Sun's Cabaret Theater

In its fifth season “Summer Dance 2015” presented by Hartford-based Albano Ballet Company performs its world premiere of Swan Lake in the Cabaret Theater at Mohegan Sun on Thursday, August 6 at 7 pm.

With a backdrop designed and painted in an art deco style by Broadway’s Leo Meyer, Swan Lake is an all new choreography by Albano encapsulating the definite elements of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet.

Tightening up the standard commedia del arte gesturing with kinetic pantomime and dance, Albano weaves the original story of a swan under the spell of an evil wizard with dramatic communication and contemporary theatrical stylistics. “Updating this signature ballet to today’s audiences is what my creation is all about.” Albano adds.

Only the love of Prince Siegfried can free the swan who is indeed a woman.

The delicate, fragile swan bird is the image for ballet since this art form originated.

Hanna Holcomb, who made her European debut on the famed Ariston stage in San Remo, Italy in 2014 in Albano’s Symphonic Dances to music by Rachmaninoff, is dancing the ballerina role of the Swan Queen.

“Its nuances from swan to woman and vice-versa,” she says requires the ultimate in both technical and emotional transfer.

“Only 18 years old, and a sophomore at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Hanna is the epitome of the gentle, graceful swan,” Albano declares.

Prince Siegfried around whom the dramatic action evolves is portrayed by Eric Carnes, a principal dancer with the Albano Company. He is accompanied by Henry Seth, a 15 years veteran of the New York City Ballet, and others of the impressive male contingent in the Albano troupe.

The Ishtar Ballet opens the program with impressionistic music by Vincent D’Indy. A Babylonian myth, the goddess, Ishtar gives birth to life.

Leo Meyer designed and painted the historic Gates of Ishtar as the backdrop. Involved masks and headpieces embellish this theatrical vision.

Honoring the late New London composer, Dr. Charles Frink, who wrote the music for the Minister’s Black Veil, a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, details a modern ballet dance drama.

“The Minister’s Black Veil” premiered last season to critical acclaim. Now, residents in the greater New London region will see both Frink’s and Albano’s collaboration. Both are native to New London.

For tickets to Mohegan Sun call the in-house box office or Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-300 or call or visit the Albano Ballet at 860-232-8898 or www.albanoballet.org.

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