PROLOGUE

Princess Odette is turned into a swan by the sorcerer Von Rothbart.

ACT I

Prince Siegfried is celebrating his birthday with the court, under the manipulative gaze of Von Rothbart, now disguised in human form. Siegfried’s mother presents him with a gift, the crossbow of his late father. She decrees that he must choose a royal bride at a palace ball to be held in his honour the following evening. Weighed down by the responsibilities of both kingdom and imminent marriage, Siegfried is comforted by Benno. Von Rothbart orders Siegfried to go inside. Siegfried refuses and wanders away alone.

ACT II

Benno, concerned for the Prince, has followed Siegfried to a clearing by the lake.  He urges the Prince to return to the palace. Siegfried resists all talk of marriage. 

Alone again, Siegfried sees a flock of swans flying high above. To his amazement, one lands and transforms into a beautiful maiden, the Princess Odette. Captivated, he approaches her tentatively with the reassurance that he means her no harm. Odette shares that she is a victim of Von Rothbart’s curse that compels her to live as a swan by day; only at night, by the lake created from her mother’s tears, is she able to return to human form. The curse can be broken only by one who has never loved before and who pledges an oath of undying love to her.

Von Rothbart appears and Odette begs him not to harm the Prince. Siegfried attempts to shoot Von Rothbart but Odette explains that the curse cannot be lifted if the sorcerer is killed. Odette and the Prince express their love for each other.

As dawn breaks, the power of Von Rothbart draws Odette away from Siegfried and she changes back into a swan.

INTERVAL 

ACT III

Having rushed back from the lake, Siegfried is met by Benno who instructs him to prepare for the ball.

Von Rothbart, now disguised in human form as the Queen’s advisor, welcomes the royal guests who have travelled from distant lands. The Queen realizes that Siegfried is missing and commands Benno to distract the court. Siegfried finally arrives and is ordered by his mother to choose a bride from four beautiful princesses. Reluctantly he dances with each in turn but, still entranced by the memory of Odette, refuses to make a choice.

Von Rothbart seizes his moment. A fanfare signals the entrance of an uninvited guest, Odile. By Von Rothbart’s magic, she appears identical to Odette. Siegfried cannot believe that his beloved has arrived. Relieved at her son’s change of heart, the Queen invites the Spanish, Hungarian, Neapolitan and Polish guests to entertain the court.

Siegfried is dazzled by Odile’s beauty. Odette, appearing as a vision, tries in vain to warn Siegfried of the deceit. Sensing nothing wrong, Siegfried chooses Odile for his bride. Von Rothbart triumphantly takes her hand and gives it to Siegfried who, in the presence of everyone, promises a vow of marriage and eternal love. Von Rothbart reveals his true identity and takes control of the palace. Grief stricken, Siegfried returns to the lake.

INTERVAL

ACT IV

By the lake, the swans anxiously await Odette’s return. She appears, heartbroken, and tells them of Siegfried’s betrayal. Doomed to remain a swan forever, the only escape is death – to be free from the curse, she must perish in the waves of the lake.

Siegfried’s desperate search through the storm ends at the lakeside. He begs Odette’s forgiveness. Von Rothbart appears and reminds Siegfried of his vow. He declares that Odette now belongs to him, to Von Rothbart, for eternity. With her fate sealed, Odette rushes to the rock and plunges into the lake. Through her sacrifice, the sorcerer’s power is destroyed and Siegfried is left to cradle the lifeless body of the Princess.