ATHENS — The UGA Performing Arts Center will present Swan Lake in the Fine Arts Theatre at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia, with a company of 65, will perform the beloved full-length story ballet, complete with magnificent sets and costumes, accompanied by the timeless music of Tchaikovsky.

One of the world's most popular ballets, Swan Lake received its premiere Feb. 20, 1877, at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. It was the first ballet set to the score of a symphonic composer and has endured to become one of Tchaikovsky's most famous works.

Set in four acts, Swan Lake tells the story of Odette, a beautiful princess who has been turned into a swan by the evil sorcerer von Rothbart. Handsome Prince Siegfried loves Odette and tries to save her from the sorcerer's spell, but is tricked into falling for von Rothbart's daughter, Odile.

Dancing the dual roles of Odette/Odile is considered one of the premier achievements in any ballerina's career.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia is the touring name of the Voronezh State Opera and Ballet Theatre, which was established in 1961. The company's dancers include distinguished Russian artists as well as winners of numerous international ballet competitions.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia has toured extensively with productions of traditional Russian classics
throughout France (performing "Sleeping Beauty" in 38 cities), Germany, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Vietnam, India, Cyprus, Malta, Japan, the United States and several countries in Africa.