It’s hard to believe now, but when the Bolshoi Ballet premiered Swan Lake on March 4, 1877, it was a critical failure. Today, the ballet and its score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky are considered one of the most popular ballets of all time. You can see it yourself performed by LA’s famed World Ballet Company at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, Feb. 15 (doors at 5 p.m., show at 6; ages 5 and older; $54.70 to $142 at pacslo.org).
“The legendary tale of Swan Lake takes flight in a breathtaking production from World Ballet Company, as fate and magic entwine in a timeless battle between good and evil,” organizers announced. “Performing with a live orchestra, and featuring a cast of 50 international dancers, over 150 radiant hand-sewn costumes, and stunning hand-crafted sets, this spellbinding ballet captures every heart-pounding moment—from the Dance of the Little Swans to the Black Swan’s 32 fouettés, and every pirouette in between. With Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score soaring through the air and played live, immerse yourself in this mesmerizing journey where dreams, heartbreak, and hope unfold right before your eyes.”
With a motto of “Ballet Everywhere, Ballet for All,” the World Ballet Company’s traveled to more than 300 cities and performed before more than half a million people. ∆
This article appears in Health & Wellness 2026.