Ballet

Swan Lake

ACT I

Scene: A garden in the castle grounds Prince Siegfried along with his friends who are celebrating his coming of age while peasants come to congratulate him and join in the dancing. His mother reproaches him for his frivolity, and tells him he must choose a bride at the forthcoming court ball. As the party ends, a flight of swans crosses the sky and the Prince decides to go hunting.

ACT II

Scene: A lake among the mountains. A group of swans glide over the lake, and as they reach the shore turn into young girls. Siegfried, still downcast, has left his friends. Suddenly the Swan Queen (Odette) appears before him. She tells him that she and her friends are under the spell of an evil magician, Von Rothbart; only between midnight and dawn can they return to human form. The Prince falls in love with Odette, and invites her to the ball, but she warns him that the enchanter will do all he can to separate them. As dawn breaks the swans return to the lake.

ACT III

Scene: A ballroom in the castle. Six prospective brides dance before the Prince, but none of them attracts him. Two mysterious guests arrive:  they are Von Rothbart and his daughter Odile, who is disguised as Odette. While Siegfried dances with Odile, Odette appears at the window and vainly tries to warn him of the deception. Siegfried announces that he has chosen Odile as his bride and at that moment the hall is plunged into darkness and the magician and his daughter vanish. Siegfried realizes that he has been tricked and hurries out in search of Odette.

ACT IV

Scene: The lake. Dark night on the shore of the Lake. Odette tells her friends about the defection of Siegfried. The Prince comes and assures his beloved that he has not forgotten the vow to love. Siegfried fights Rothbart. The power of his love for Odette destroys the spirit, the spell is now broken; Odette and Siegfried meet the first rays of the rising sun; the lovers are reunited and the swan maidens are also free.