Swan Lake

Swan Lake is a four-act ballet. Acts I and III, both set in the palace, were choreographed by Petipa; Acts II and IV, the “white” acts, were choreographed by Ivanov. Composed by Tchaikovsky The ballet tells the story of Princess Odette who has been turned into a swan by the magician von Rothbart.

In act I Prince Siegfried celebrates his 21st birthday. When his mother reminds him of his duty to choose a bride, the unhappy prince leaves the party and goes to the lakeside.

In act II Siegfried meets Odette, the Swan Queen, at the lakeside. He falls in love with her and promises fidelity. They dance a pas de deux to seal their love vows. The White Swan pas de deux symbolizes the purity of Odette’s trusting love for Siegfried.

Act III takes place the next evening at a ball in the palace. Von Rothbart appears and introduces Siegfried to Odile, the Black Swan, who is also his daughter. She is a captivating young woman who Von Rothbart has enchanted to look like Odette. In the Black Swan pas de deux, Siegfried and Odile dance and she bewitches him with her beauty. He asks her to marry him. A vision of Odette appears, and Siegfried realizes he has broken his promise to her and rushes to the lakeside.

In act IV, Siegfried searches for Odette. When he finds her he tells her of his unfaithfulness and asks forgiveness. The ballet has had several endings, both sad and happy. In some versions von Rothbart creates a storm and both lovers drown, or Odette throws herself into the lake and Siegfried follows. In others, Siegfried defeats von Rothbart and breaks the spell.