The Dying Swan

As tomorrow evening I am attending English National Ballet's special performance in celebration of Ballets Russes' centenary, I thought I would dedicate this post to one of the most beautiful and inspiring works in the history of ballet - The Dying Swan choreographed by Michel Fokine, as well as to the legendary Prima Ballerina Anna Pavlova for whom this piece was created.

I have gathered a selection of vintage photographs, original footage of this ballet as performed by the great Anna Pavlova (some set to Camille Saint-Saëns's original score Le Cygne; whilst others accompanied by contemporary music which I feel might bring a different light to the interpretation of this extraordinary dance), a rare video of the very moving rendition by French Prima Ballerina Yvette Chauviré (coach of Sylvie Guillem and often described as France's greatest ballerina), Russian Prima Ballerina Assoluta Maya Plisetskaya's 1975 performance, and eventually, Kirov Ballet's Uliana Lopatkina dancing The Dying Swan at Saint Petersburg 300 Years Gala in 2003. One can see how much the art of ballet has evolved over time. (Aside from Anna Pavlova whose movement and beauty belong in such a bygone era, my personal favourites are Yvette Chauviré and Uliana Lopatkina.)

*Remember to pause the music player on the left-hand side column before you enjoy these videos. ;-)



Pablo Casals plays Saint-Saëns's The Swan (Le Cygne) for HMV in 1925. One of his earliest electrical recordings, and one of his most famous recordings ever made. With silent footage of Anna Pavlova dancing The Dying Swan.


Anna Pavlova, Kirov Ballet.

Music: "Ho Renomo" by Cluster & Eno


Maya Plisetskaya







*Another article of interest: Ma Pavlowa - Lucia Lacarra