"Swan Lake"

SYNOPSIS

Act I

Scene 1

Prince Siegfried and his friends are celebrating his coming of age. The revel is interrupted by his mother. She is displeased with her son?s behaviour and she intends to merry him off. After the Princess has gone, the partying begins anew.

Twilight falls. The guests depart and the Prince is left alone in the park. He dreams of a maiden he could love deeply. High above, Siegfried catches sight of a flock of white swans and the sight stirs the hunter?s urge in him. Seizing his bow, the Prince makes his way off into the heart of the forest.

Scene 2

White swans are beautiful young maidens who have been transformed by the evil magician Rothbart. Only at night can they turn into human form. 

Siegfried appears. He 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, swan queen. Odette?s beauty enchant the Prince and he tries to capture her. Odette tells him that the evil sorcerer Rothbart has turned her and the other girls into swans and that the only way the spell could be broken is if a man pledges his love to her.
Dawn breaks. Siegfried runs after Odette and vows eternal love and fidelity to her. Odette?s heart responds in the same way to Siegfried?s passionate love. 

Act II

Scene 3

The next day in the Royal Hall, Prince Siegfried is presented with many prospective princesses. The Prince has to choose a bride, but he cannot. Trumpets announce the arrival of  Rothbart. He brings his daughter, Odile. The Prince is struck by her resemblance to Odette. The prince soon confesses his love to Odile, thinking that she is Odette.

The wicked magician is jubilant. Prince Siegfried sees the real Odette fleeing from the window and realizes his mistake. Prince Siegfried quickly leaves the party and chases after Odette.

Scene 4

The Lakeside, at night. Odette tells the swan-maidens what has happened. They are inconsolable. Siegfried rushes in. He begs Odette to forgive him and he professes his undying love for her.

The storm begins and it thunders. But nothing can ruin the strongest love of two sweethearts. Siegfried grapples with the magician. Fearless in the encounter, he breaks Rothbart's wing. The enchanter collapses and he dies.
Love has broken the evil spell. The sun rises and shines radiantly on the Prince and Odette, and on the maidens whom Siegfried has rescued.