Swan Lake

Prologue

Long before our story begins, Odette, a beautiful princess, falls under the spell of the wicked sorcerer Von Rothbart, enchanted to take the form of a swan by day, returning to her human form at night. Only true love will free her from her captor.

Act I: The Prince’s birthday party  

It is Prince Siegfried’s twenty-first birthday, and he is celebrating with friends. The Queen Mother arrives to give him his present, a crossbow, and reminds him that, as he will become King, he must choose a bride at the ball the next evening. She leaves, bidding him to enjoy himself, but reminds him again to think about his royal obligation to be wed. Siegfried’s mood sinks, realizing that his carefree days are at an end. His close friend Benno, in an attempt to lift his spirits, suggests a hunting excursion to break in his new crossbow. Siegfried, Benno, and men from the village disperse, excited for the sport.

Act II: That night, by the lake

Siegfried and his companions find themselves in a moonlit clearing by the lake. Siegfried, still feeling the weight of his mother’s bidding to choose a bride, seeks solitude and sends the others away. Suddenly, he sees a magnificent swan in flight. He carefully takes aim, but to his astonishment, the bird transforms into a breathtakingly beautiful girl, and he withdraws into the trees to observe her. Unable to resist his curiosity, he steps out, only to startle and frighten her. He assures her he will do her no harm and asks her to explain the marvel he has just seen. Impressed by his gentleness, Odette unburdens her story. She tells him she is a Princess of high birth who fell under the spell of an evil sorcerer and is now a swan by day; only in the hours of darkness may she assume her human form. Indeed, this very lake is filled with her mother’s tears. She tells him she is condemned for eternity; the spell can only be broken if a prince swears eternal love to her and marries her. But if he is untrue, she will remain a swan forever. At that moment, the sorcerer appears. The Prince, in his passion, reaches for his crossbow, but Odette immediately protects the sorcerer with her body, for she fears that if he is killed before the spell is broken, she too will die. The sorcerer disappears. As they dance together under the light of the moon, Siegfried realizes his fate is now entwined with hers. Dawn approaches, and Odette is compelled to return to her guise as a swan. Siegfried is left awestruck.

INTERMISSION

Act III: The Great Hall  

Heralds and trumpets announce the start of the ball. 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 the entertainment of the Prince and the Queen Mother. The prospective brides dance for them, 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 unexpected guest. It is Von Rothbart with his daughter Odile. Despite all efforts by the eligible princesses to win over Prince Siegfried with their charm and entertainment, Odile seduces him as Von Rothbart holds the court in thrall. Siegfried is beguiled and announces his intention to marry Odile. Von Rothbart asks Siegfried to swear his love. He realizes too late that he has been the victim of a terrible plot. The scene darkens; Odette is seen at the castle window, weeping.  Grief-stricken, Siegfried rushes to the lakeside.

Act IV: The lakeside 

Odette lingers at the lakeside, mourning her fate while Von Rothbart looms above, victorious. Siegfried, bursting into the glade, discovers Odette and begs her forgiveness. Odette understands that Siegfried was deceived by her captor, Von Rothbart, and does not hold him responsible for what has happened. As dawn approaches, Von Rothbart reappears. Siegfried takes up his crossbow in a desperate act of love and shoots down Von Rothbart, vanquishing him and breaking the curse. Odette is transformed back into her human form, united with Siegfried in true, everlasting love.

Note: The Louisville Ballet Artistic team is grateful to the late Alun Jones and Bruce Simpson for generously allowing us to draw inspiration from their previous iterations of Swan Lake.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available for the pre-show talks and curtain speeches for all performances. Audio description is available upon request two weeks prior to the performance. Wheelchair seating is available at The Kentucky Center, The Brown Theatre, and Louisville Ballet Studios. Contact [email protected] for more information on accommodations

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