Swan Lake

ACT I – The Garden of the Castle

Young people are making merry on the grass in front of the castle. At the height of the festivity the Princess Mother arrives, who presents Siegfried with a crossbow as a sign of his coming of age. The Princess reminds her son that at the ball arranged for the following day he must choose his bride from among the young girls invited for the occasion. Siegfried is disconsolate. He enjoys his life of freedom and has no wish to marry. Twilight falls, the Prince decides to go hunting with his new crossbow.

ACT II – By the Lake

Siegfried notices a flight of swans passing overhead and decides to hunt them. His attention is suddenly attracted by the swans who come out of the lake and in particular by a beautiful white swan, Odette, who he sees suddenly transform into a swan-maiden. The evil genius, Rothbardt, has transformed her and her friends into swans only at night can they reappear in human form. Only the pure love of a young man can remove the curse. Full of love for Odette, Siegfried vows eternal fidelity. Rothbardt overhears the conversation between Odette and Siegfried. As day breaks the swan-maidens become swans again and Siegfried is determined to free Odette from the power of the evil Rothbardt.

ACT III – The Ballroom

The guests arrive in the castle ballroom for the festivities. Six maidens enter, one of whom Siegfried must choose as his bride. They  begin to dance, Siegfried despondent, his mind filled with memories of Odette, turns coldly away from the girls. Trumpets herald the arrival of Rothbardt and his daughter Odile. Rothbardt bids his daughter bewitch Siegfried and wrest him from a confession of love. The Prince mistakes Odile for Odette and tells his mother he wishes to marry Rothbardt’s daughter. The evil genius is jubilant, the vow has been broken. Now Odette and her friends can never escape from his power. With malicious laughter, Rothbardt and Odile vanish. Siegfried, realising that he has been deceived, rushes to the lake.

ACT IV – By the Lake

On the shore of the darkened lake Odette, overcome by grief, tells her friends of Siegfried’s apparent betrayal. The swan-maidens despair, their hope of freedom has gone forever. Insane with grief Siegfried asks Odette to forgive him and swears his unchanging, undying love. Rothbardt calls his swans and orders them to separate Odette from Siegfried. Siegfried fights Rothbardt. He fights for his love and the happiness of Odette. The Prince wins the fight. Rothbardt’s spell is broken his power is finished. The rising sun shines on Odette and Siegfried in their joy and happiness.

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