Swan Lake: Synopsis 

 

Prologue 

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We open on a quiet village, where little children are dancing together. A lovely maiden enters, Odette, with a few of her friends, and they dance and make merry together. Their peaceful scene is disrupted when the evil sorceress, Baroness von Rothbart, arrives with her Little Black Swans, and places Odette under a cruel spell. She is cursed to live as a swan, only able to return to her human form at night.

 

Act I, Scene I - The Prince’s Birthday 

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Many years pass. It is Prince Siegfried’s twenty-first birthday, and a party is held in his honor. Pages arrive to open the celebration, and the Queen dances with her Ladies in Waiting.  The Prince and his sisters arrive soon after, and the Royal Court dances in their honor. The royal family is entertained by the court Jester, along with her entourage of Jokers and Little Jesters. The Princesses take turns debuting their dances, and are joined by Benno, the Prince’s romantic friend, who attempts to win them over. While the Party Guests engage in a lively party dance, the  Queen presents the Prince with his present, a crossbow, and reminds him that, as he is to become King, he must choose a bride at the ball the next evening. She leaves, bidding him to enjoy himself, but reminding him again to think about his royal obligation to be wed. Siegfried,  realizing that his carefree days are at an end, is dismayed. Benno suggests they forget his  obligations for the evening and go hunting, and they leave the party together.

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Act I, Scene II - The Lake 

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In the forest, a group of Bunnies is disrupted by the Hunting Party, led by Prince  Siegfried and Benno. Benno suggests that they all split up to hunt, and the Prince is left alone in  the clearing. Before long, he sees a magnificent swan in flight. He carefully takes aim, but, to his  astonishment, the bird transforms into a breathtakingly beautiful girl. Frightened, Odette turns to  leave, but the Prince assures her he will do her no harm and asks her to explain the marvel he has  just seen. Impressed by his gentleness, Odette tells him of her dreadful curse. She tells him she is condemned for eternity, and only if a man swears eternal fidelity to her and marries her can she  find release. But if he should forswear her, then she must remain a swan forever. At that moment  the sorceress appears. The Prince reaches for his crossbow, but Odette immediately protects von  Rothbart with her body, for she knows that if she is killed before the spell is broken, she too will  die. The sorceress disappears, and Odette slips away into the forest. The Prince tries to follow, but  is stopped by the other swan maidens that live on the lake. A series of dances follow, completed  by a beautiful Pas de Deux, at the end of which the Prince begs Odette to join him at the ball the  following night. She agrees, in haste and departs, just as dawn begins to approach. 

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Act II, Scene I - The Ball 

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The next night at the palace, a grand ball is held by the Queen. Musicians play, Ball Guests dance, and eligible young princesses from all over the world arrive to be introduced to Prince Siegfried so that he may choose a bride. They present their national dances for their entertainment, and the Queen Mother reminds Siegfried that he must choose one for his wife. As Siegfried struggles with his responsibility to marry, his mind remains with Odette and he cannot choose. Trumpets announce an un-invited guest. It is von Rothbart with her daughter Odile, who has been disguised to resemble Odette. Convinced that she is his true love, Siegfried dances with Odile, and finally announces his intention to marry her. Baroness von Rothbart asks Siegfried to swear fidelity, and he agrees. Too late, Odette is seen at the castle door, weeping, and the Prince realizes that he has been the victim of a terrible plot. Grief-stricken, Siegfried rushes to the lakeside.

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Act II, Scene II - The Lake 

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Back at the lake, Rothbart and her Minions celebrate the success of their schemes. At their departure, the Little Swans enter, sharing in the grief of their beloved Odette. Odette, filled with sorrow, mourns the loss of her love and of her chance for freedom. Siegfried, bursting into the glade, discovers Odette and begs her forgiveness, but there is nothing to be done. The couple share one final dance, hearts broken, until Rothbart returns to reclaim her prize. Odette leaves with the other swans, the prince is left brokenhearted on the shore of the lake.