"Swan Lake"

Prologue

Odette, a young maiden, is in the forest in the middle of the night. She feels uneasiness and sees the shadow of a flying bird. This is the evil knight Rothbart. He captures Odette, turning her into a white swan. She is cursed to remain a swan during the day, and a maiden at night.
The only way the spell could be broken is if a man, pure in heart, pledges his love to her.

Act I

Scene 1

Prince Siegfried arrives at his 21st birthday celebration on the palace courtyards to find all of the royal families and townspeople dancing and celebrating. The guests drink to his health. During the exquisite celebration, his mother, the Princess Regent, is approaching with her retinue. Prince salutes his mother respectfully. She reminds him of his coming of age.
Siegfried's mother gives him crossbow and informs him that because he is of age now, his marriage will be quickly arranged. Hit with the sudden realization of his future responsibilities, he takes his crossbow and makes haste to the woods with his hunting buddies.

Scene 2

A Lake in the forest in the middle of the night. Prince Siegfried sees one of the white birds come to shore and draws his bow to shoot it.

The bird suddenly turns into a beautiful woman it is Odette, queen of the swan-maidens. Odette?s beauty enthralls the Prince and he tries to capture her. She informs the young prince that the evil sorcerer Rothbart has turned her and the other girls into swans and that the lake was formed by the tears of their parents' weeping. She tells him that the only way the spell could be broken is if a man pledges his love to her.
Dawn breaks. Prince vows eternal love and fidelity to Odette...

Act II

Scene 3

A Ball at the Castle. Siegfried must choose a bride from among the well-bred maidens who have been invited, but he remains indifferent to them all because he has given his heart to Odette.
Suddenly new guests arrive: the magician Rothbart and Odile, his daughter. The Prince is struck by her resemblance to Odette. Odile seduces Siegfried, who is fascinated by her charm. He announces to his mother that the beautiful Odile is his choice. The wicked magician is jubilant.

Suddenly Siegfried sees a vision of the true swan-maiden outside the castle window and realizes that he has been deceived into breaking his vow.

Scene 4

In despair, Siegfried rushes to the lake to find his beloved Odette. The magician Rothbart triumphs. Prince Siegfried arrives at the edge of the lake in the forest and begs the distraught Odette for forgiveness. Odette forgives him. Rothbart decides to ruin their happiness. Odette rushes to Siegfied's help.
Love has broken the evil spell. The swan turns into princesse Odette.