The Iconic Full-Length Ballet Returns Feb. 27 – March 1, 2026, with Live Orchestra and Debut Performances in the Principal Roles

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 Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling and inspired by the original works of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, Swan Lake is widely regarded as the definitive classical ballet that tells the story of Prince Siegfried and Odette, a Swan Queen cursed by an evil sorcerer to live as a swan by day and a woman by night. Only a vow of true love can break the spell. The ballet explores themes of love, deception and redemption through some of the most demanding and emotionally complex roles in classical dance.

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.

Performance Schedule:

Friday, February 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Swan Lake is recommended for audiences of all ages. Tickets start at $54 and are on sale now at www.nashvilleballet.com/swan-lake-2526.

Nashville Ballet’s 37th Annual Ballet Ball

The Nashville Ballet will host Nashville Ballet’s 37th Annual Ballet Ballfundraising gala on March 7, 2026 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Inspired by the timeless beauty of Swan Lake, the 2026 gala will blend classical elegance with contemporary celebration in honor of the Ballet’s milestone 40th Season. Underwriting opportunities are available now that provide access to all Ballet Ball events.