Bangkok is probably better-known for its hedonistic nightlife of go-go bars, discos,markets and Muay Thai fights.However, there is no shortage of high culture if you are prepared to go out and look for it.
# <center>_"SWAN LAKE"_</center>
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/uVa7B)</center>
<center>Composer: Pyotr Illich Tchaikovsky
Supported by the Embassy of Russia and JOBTOPGUN.com
Duration: Act I: 70 mins, Act II: 45 mins, Act III: 30 mins
Intermission: 20 mins </center>
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## <center> A Preview of _"Swan Lake"_</center>
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZGxQDX6a2sU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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### <center>THE BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL DANCE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL:</center>
Last Tuesday night marked the opening of the 18th Bangkok International Dance & Music Festival, and we had tickets for opening night. Not just any tickets, but front row seats to the Stanislavsky Ballet performing the classic "Swan Lake". To put things in perspective, these tickets cost us 3200 Baht/person, or roughly $92USD, which I think is exceptional value for money.
###### <center>OUR TICKETS:</center>
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/urswU)</center>
As it was opening night, there was no shortage of soap-stars, dignitaries, and members of high-society in attendance. Her Royal Highness, Princess Srindhorn was also at the performance along with a heavily armed entourage. I tried to take a picture of the princess and was sternly told not to, by her guards, so I got a pic of her car instead :)
###### <center>THE ROYAL LEXUS & GUARDS:</center>
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/uWcRp)</center>
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### <center>THE VENUE:</center>
The performance, and in fact all performances at the Bangkok International Dance and Music Festival take place at the Thailand Cultural Centre, on Ratchada Road. It's conveniently located in the centre of the city about a 10 minute walk from the nearest underground train station.
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/uVnQK)</center>
The Main Hall is very impressive, and features the main seating area plus 2 balcony/mezzanine areas for VIP's. The walls and roof resembles a giant horn and are pieced together with a variety of timbers, granite and stone. The angles are fascinating as the audio engineers have designed the hall in a way to try and avoid any standing waves from the orchestra.
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/urJKD)</center>
The orchestra are located in their pit at the front, as can be seen here. The sound in the hall is superb.
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/uWR43)</center>
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### <center>THE STANISLAVSKY BALLET:</center>
The Stanislavsky Ballet is one of Russia’s leading and most artistically successful ballet companies. In Bangkok, the company are presenting Vladimir Burmeister’s version of Swan Lake, which is highly regarded by both critics and other major ballet companies of the world. This ballet, considered a trademark performance of the Stanislavsky Ballet, is highly appreciated for its dramatic verity, lightness and lyricism.
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/uV5NI)</center>
The company consisting of 90 dancers has 11 gold medall winners at international ballet competitions. The company has performed to enthusiastic reception in Japan, France, Hungary, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Latin America, Greece, Italy and Finland among several other countries...And now they have made it to Thailand.
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### <center>THE PERFORMANCE:</center>
<center>http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/admin/specials/nationphoto/photo/psSDZDL.jpg</center>
I hadn't been to any sort of live theatre for several years, and only to the ballet a few times in my life, so don't expect this to be any sort of formal critique of the performance. The ballet was performed in 3 acts, with 2 intermissions, and probably last for 2 1/2 hours, making it a long show. The 20 minute intermissions allowed us to duck out to the foyer for a glass of wine and a chat between acts. To my untrained eye, the performance was flawless, as the dancers twisted, twirled and jumped in perfect precision. The first act was a fun-filled frivolity in the park. Couples played and danced, with a jester adding some extra comic relief. Bored with the party and indifferent to the women attending. Towards the end of the first act our leading man wanders off, and meets the "Swan Princess" who steals his heart. As no words are spoken in the ballet, the story is told through the music, the dance and the expressions of the performers.
<center> [](https://www.steemimg.com/image/uVyAm)</center>
Many of the scenes are elaborate and even startling -- perhaps most notably the ballroom scene where the wicked villian keeps materializing in the middle of the Spanish, Italian, Hungarian and Polish dancers.
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/uV1Bh)</center>
A wonderful performance by some very talented performers. It left me wanting more, and looking to book my next tickets to a night out at the Cultural Center.
<center>[](https://www.steemimg.com/image/uVBCK)</center>
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#art
#culture
#ballet
#bangkok