Swan Lake is one of the most popular and famous ballets ever created; it’s a work that has become synonymous with classical ballet — but it wasn’t always so. After its unsuccessful premiere in 1877 in St. Petersburg it fell into oblivion and become one of the greatest disappointments for its creator. It was only thanks to the famous choreographer, Marius Petipa, and Lev Ivanov’s dancing, that in 1894 the piece began to gain acceptance and respect. The first complete performance of the ballet was held in 1895 in St. Petersburg and since then has been a mainstay and worldwide classic. The ballet’s popularity unfortunately came after Tchaikovsky’s death. A brand new production of Swan Lake by the Croatian National Theatre will be staged by one of the world’s most famous dancers and choreographers, Vladimir Malakhov: a respected interpreter of classic ballet works, such as Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. Malakhov has created and designed this performance specifically for the Zagreb Ballet Ensemble.