As the thunderous horns accelerate to a climax and then fiercely retard in the stunning downward spiral known as the Swan’s Theme, dancers gracefully act out a tale of passionate lovers struggling to conquer evil.

Peter Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” will once again dazzle audiences Sunday when The Russian National Ballet Theatre performs the famous ballet using choreography of the legendary Marius Petipa.

“Petipa is the peak of the classical ballet. The entire second half of 19th century is the era of Petipa in ballet,” said theater director, Elena Radchenko, in an e-mail interview.

“Petipa’s choreography is marked with amazing fantasy and absolute logic. He is a genius of the 19th century.”

Petipa often based his choreography on the aesthetics and moral absolutism, in which certain actions are absolutely right or wrong, leaving out any shade of gray. Other renowned works of Petipa include The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty and The Talisman.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre upholds cultural traditions by performing a repertoire of classical Russian compositions and using a 19th century costume design and interpretation.

So others get a taste of the unique form of storytelling, Radchenko has had her dancers travel internationally in more than 100 performances since January. She also believes the collapse of the Soviet Union had no impact on the Ballet.

“Dancers are doing their job and politicians are doing their’s,” Radchenko said. “We keep the traditions of the older generation and hope to pass it on to the new generation. This is today our main goal.”

“Swan Lake” draws from various Russian folk tales to tell the story of a princess who turns into a swan by night as a result of a sorcerer’s evil spell.

Once Prince Siegfried learns of her curse, he takes pity on her and begins to fall in love. If the two express their love for each other, the spell will be broken, but as they become mere pawns in a game of deception, they must find a way to cheat fate.

Though some prefer film or literature to feel the allure of storytelling, ballet provides an audience with not just one but several art forms.

“I like that ballet includes all types of art: costume design, music, dance, art [and] literature,” Radchenko said.

Clearly, “Swan Lake” would not be the same without a vibrant orchestral performance, a rich plot, or mesmerizing choreography.

“It’s incredible that they can tell a story with no words, just the power of movement,” Stephanie Davies said, a freshman history and pre-law major from Gainesville.