Swan Lake's Story
A tale of transformation, duality, and the courage of love.
At First...
Swan Lake tells of Prince Siegfried whose mother reminds him at his birthday celebration that he now must marry. Feeling downtrodden and trapped by circumstances, he flees his party, seeking solitude in the nearby forest. There, Siegfried sees beautiful Odette dressed in white and dancing near a glimmering lake. He learns that a sorcerer named von Rothbart has cursed Odette (a princess). We aren’t quite sure what motivated von Rothbart (jealousy, power, control?), but for a brief period each night, Odette assumes her human form before transforming into a swan at sunrise. As Siegfried and Odette spend time together, Siegfried learns that there is an entire flock of enchanted “swans” under von Rothbart’s control. He and Odette fall in love, and she tells him that only committed, true love can break the curse. Suddenly, von Rothbart appears. Siegfried tries to hurt von Rothbart but Odette uses herself as a shield, understanding that she will die with the sorcerer if harm comes to him before the curse is broken. Von Rothbart flees into the darkness. Odette vanishes deeper into the forest.
...And Then...
Siegfried returns to the palace where his birthday celebrations—and his mother’s pursuit of a wife for him—continue. A royal ball commences! Befitting his status, he dances with princesses from the realm, but he is distracted, thinking only of the white swan, Odette. Suddenly, and with dramatic flair, von Rothbart (disguised as a nobleman) enters the ball along with his daughter, Odile. Like Rothbart, Odile is also in disguise. Von Rothbart has created a spell where Odile, dressed in black, looks like Odette. Siegfried seems taken in, especially by Odile’s fantastic way of moving: 32 fouette turns en pointe. He dances with Odile, falls under the spell, and announces that he will marry her! Odette, heartbroken at his betrayal, watches this unfold through a window. She is now forever doomed to be a swan. Siegfried sees Odette, realizes his grave mistake, and rushes to the forest lake.
...And Finally!
At the lake, Siegfried finds Odette among the other swans, explains his love for her, and begs forgiveness. Odette, in her loving nature and grace, forgives the Prince. Von Rothbart once more disrupts the scene. Odette chooses to free herself from the spell, to make the ultimate sacrifice in a final swan dive. Siegfried follows. Their act breaks von Rothbart’s spell and defeats his evil. Odette and Siegfried are reunited in eternal love as the sun begins to rise, sending warm rays over the waters of the glistening Swan Lake.
