Nashville Ballet will bring Swan Lake, one of the most iconic works in classical ballet, back to the stage for the first time since 2018 with a full-length production February 27 – March 1, 2026, at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall. Performed live to Tchaikovsky’s soaring score by The Nashville Symphony, the production marks a major artistic moment for the company and its dancers.
Choreographed by Nashville Ballet’s Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling and inspired by the original works of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, Swan Lake is widely considered the ultimate classical ballet. It tells the enchanting yet tragic story of Prince Siegfried and Odette, the Swan Queen, who is cursed by an evil sorcerer to live as a swan by day and a woman by night. Only a true vow of love can break the spell.
Through some of the most technically demanding and emotionally powerful roles in all of classical dance, the ballet beautifully explores deep themes of love, deception, betrayal, and redemption. This timeless masterpiece captivates audiences with its blend of romance, tragedy, and transformation, making it a breathtaking experience for longtime ballet lovers and newcomers alike.
Nashville Ballet is the city’s premier and most authentic home for classical ballet, bringing Swan Lake to the stage with unmatched authority and artistic distinction. As Nashville’s resident professional ballet company, it delivers a level of craftsmanship, musicality and theatrical grandeur that defines true classical performance. With a live orchestra, internationally trained artists and a legacy of original productions, this Swan Lake is not simply an event, it is Nashville’s definitive presentation of one of ballet’s greatest works.
“Swan Lake holds a special place in the classical canon and in Nashville Ballet’s history,” said Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director & CEO of Nashville Ballet. “This production honors the tradition audiences expect while showcasing the power, athleticism and emotional clarity of today’s dancers in roles that define a classical career.”
A highlight of the 2026 run will be a series of principal role debuts, as four dancers step into the ballet’s most iconic and demanding roles for the first time. Lily Saito and Colette Tilinski will alternate as Odette/Odile, while James Lankford and Jorge Emilio Peña alternate as Prince Siegfried. The dual role of Odette/Odile is widely considered the most challenging in classical ballet, requiring a single dancer to embody two dramatically opposite characters with extraordinary stamina, precision and emotional range. Prince Siegfried presents a different but equally critical challenge, demanding sustained strength, flawless partnering and the ability to carry the ballet’s emotional arc.
The return of Swan Lake highlights Nashville Ballet’s rise as a nationally recognized company, delivering productions of remarkable scale and artistic ambition.
Performances of Nashville Ballet’s Swan Lake will be on February 27 at 7:30 p.m., February 28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and March 1 at 2 p.m.
Swan Lake is recommended for audiences of all ages. Tickets start at $54and are on sale now at www.nashvilleballet.com/swan-lake-2526.
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