Il Lago dei Cigni (Swan Lake)

Music by Pëtr Il’ič Čajkovskij
Teatro Massimo di Palermo 2026-01-22 ... 2026-02-01

From January 22 to February 1, 2026, the Teatro Massimo Palermo presents a new production of “Swan Lake” (Il lago dei cigni) by Pëtr Il’ič Čajkovskij. Conducted by Nicola Giuliani, this timeless ballet comes to life through the refined choreography of Jean-Sébastien Colau , with Vincenzo Veneruso as assistant. Francesco Zito’s scenic designs, Cécile Flamand’s costumes, and Bruno Ciulli’s lighting create a visually stunning atmosphere.
Guest stars Maia Makhateli (Dutch National Ballet, Amsterdam) and Andrea Sarri (Paris Opera Ballet) join the Teatro Massimo Ballet and Orchestra in this new production directed by Colau. A mesmerizing fusion of movement, music, and emotion awaits audiences in Palermo’s magnificent opera house.

Teatro Massimo Travel Package

Music trip to Sicily with a performance at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
The Teatro Massimo is the largest opera house in Italy with a perfect acoustics and with magnificent reception rooms, galleries and monumental staircases. The neoclassical building dates back to the 19th century. The Teatro Massimo was the location for some scenes of the film “The Godfather” in which the godfather Michael Corleone attended the debut of his son in Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana”.
Enjoy our music package with a magnificent performance and an exclusive leisure program in Palermo and Sicily. Choose a performance from the extensive program of operas, concerts and ballets and select between the essential package and add individual services that we offer with the superior program.

The Story of Swan Lake

First performed in Moscow in 1877, Swan Lake is one of the cornerstones of classical ballet. Pëtr Il’ič Čajkovskij’s score blends romantic yearning, drama, and lyrical beauty with unmatched emotional depth. The story follows Prince Siegfried and Odette, a princess cursed to live as a swan by day. Only true love can break the spell—but deception and fate intervene, leading to a tragic finale.
Beyond its fairy-tale setting, Swan Lake explores the eternal struggle between purity and temptation, illusion and truth, light and darkness. Its universal themes and expressive choreography have captivated audiences for generations. In the Teatro Massimo Palermo’s new production, this masterpiece is reborn through a refined choreographic language and Čajkovskij’s timeless music, offering a fresh encounter with one of ballet’s most poignant love stories.

The Artists and Creative Team

Music • Pëtr Il’ič Čajkovskij
Choreography • Jean-Sébastien Colau
Choreography assistant • Vincenzo Veneruso
Conductor • Nicola Giuliani
Scene Designs • Francesco Zito
Costume Designs • Cécile Flamand
Lighting Designs • Bruno Ciulli

Cast

Maia Makhateli étoile of the Dutch National Ballet Amsterdam
Andrea Sarri étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet

Teatro Massimo Ballet and Orchestra
Ballet Director • Jean-Sébastien Colau

A Teatro Massimo New Production
Running time: 180 minutes

Booking Process

Music trip to Sicily with premium tickets for the ballet Swan Lake at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
The travel package contains 3 days with 2 overnights in a hotel in Palermo and will be composed according to your wishes. You can select between Essential and Superior Package and request more overnights and a following program to explore Sicily.

Each travel package will be composed according to your wishes. Follow the booking process:

Select a Date
Press “Add to cart” and “Send Request”
When we receive your booking request, you will get an individual offer with some hotels to choose from. Only after your decision, we send you a travel contract to confirm the booking.
Description of the Essential and Superior Package