SWAN LAKE Synopsis
Act I
The Castle, Late Afternoon
Prince Siegfried is celebrating his coming-of-age with friends, villagers from surrounding estates and his tutor of many years. The Queen Mother suddenly appears. With obvious disapproval of the ongoing festivities, the Queen reminds Siegfried that he must select a bride the following evening, when a grand ball will be held in his honor. Before departing, she presents Siegfried with a handsome crossbow for his birthday, reminding him again of his responsibilities.
The weight of this decision, for which he feels unprepared, fills Siegfried with melancholy. Nevertheless, he joins the villagers in dancing. As twilight falls, the young prince spots a flock of wild swans flying through the darkening sky. Avoiding thoughts of his impending choice, Siegfried takes up his new crossbow and calls for a hunt.
Act II
The Lake, Evening
The sorcerer Von Rothbart moves through a heavy mist which envelopes a mysterious lake. Meanwhile, Siegfried’s pursuit of the wild swans leads him to the edge of the same lake. When Siegfried appears, Von Rothbart quickly hides. Siegfried hears a rustling noise and raises his crossbow, but lowers it when a beautiful woman appears. Part swan, she wears a crown of white feathers and trembles with bird-like fear as she explains that she is Odette, the swan queen. Siegfried is mesmerized by her beauty and vulnerability, and he reassures her that he is harmless. Odette tells him how Von Rothbart transformed her and her friends into swans, and how only under night’s cover can they regain their human form. She explains how the lake was formed from her grief-stricken mother’s tears. The spell can be broken only when a young man pledges himself to Odette. Siegfried is overcome with desire and vows eternal love and fidelity. But as dawn breaks, Von Rothbart reappears. The young maidens change back into swans and Siegfried journeys home, resolved to rescue Odette. He does not realize that Von Rothbart has observed him.
Act III
The Castle Ballroom
Siegfried’s coming-of-age ball commences and his friends dance in his honor. Six young princesses are introduced and a series of dances from foreign lands are performed in celebration. Obsessed with Odette, Siegfried sullenly rejects all of the prospective young brides. Suddenly, a trumpet fanfare announces two unexpected guests. They are the disguised Von Rothbart and his daughter, Odile, who, through sorcery, has taken on the appearance of Odette. Odile, dressed in black, flirts unabashedly with Siegfried. Believing that Odette has come to him in masquerade, Siegfried joyously selects Odile for his bride. The Queen Mother willingly approves and Von Rothbart demands that Siegfried profess his love for Odile aloud. In doing so, Siegfried unknowingly breaks his vow to Odette. The charade ends and Von Rothbart reveals himself with rancorous pleasure, knowing Odette and her friends will be forever enslaved. He points triumphantly to the real Odette who has appeared briefly in the background. Siegfried realizes the deception and rushes after Odette.
Act IV
The Lake
Destroyed by Siegfried’s apparent treachery, Odette tells the swan maidens they have lost any hope of freedom from Von Rothbart’s spell. She wishes to die, but Siegfried rushes to her side in time, explaining passionately how he, too, succumbed to Von Rothbart’s wickedness. Bound together by the power of love, Siegfried and Odette defy the venomous sorcerer. The potency of their love and sacrifice breaks the spell, releases the swan maidens from their misery, and destroys Von Rothbart.
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