Swan Lake in Symphony Hall at the DECC, Duluth, MN

Act 1.

Prologue.

Princess Odette is taking a walk along the shore of the lake. She meets a mysterious stranger
who frightens her. Rothbart is captivated by Odette’s beauty and asks for her hand and heart, but
the Princess refuses him. In anger, Rothbart turns Odette into a beautiful white swan. Now the
only one who can save her is the one who will fall in love with her, take an oath of faithfulness
and keep that oath.

Scene 1.

Spring day. In the park of the ancient royal castle, Prince Siegfried is celebrating coming of
age. Eligible young ladies of the Prince’s court seek his attention, but he is not in a hurry to tie
himself in marriage. Graceful dances of gentlemen and ladies are followed by Jester’s funny
performances.
Siegfried’s Princess-mother appears, accompanied by her entourage. She congratulates the
Prince on his maturity and presents him with a crossbow. Siegfried is delighted with the gift. The
Princess-mother retires with her entourage. The party continues, but the Prince gets bored, and he
asks everyone to leave.
Siegfried goes to the lake to hunt.

Scene 2.

Prince is on the shore of a beautiful lake. The evil wizard Rothbart watches him. A flock of
swans comes to swim in the lake. Siegfried is surprised to see that the swans are turning into
girls. The swan queen Odette tells the Prince that she and her friends are victims of the evil
sorcery of the wizard Rothbarth, who turned them into swans. Only at night, near this lake, can
they take on human form. The terrible charms will continue until a man who has never sworn
love to any girl loves Odette for life. Siegfried swears eternal love and faithfulness to Odette. But
the evil sorcerer has seen everything and is already making a cunning plan on how to separate
the two lovers.
It’s getting light. Odette says goodbye to her lover. The flock of swans swims away.

Act 2.

Scene 3.

In the castle of the Princess-mother a big ball is held, dedicated to the Prince’s birthday. At
this ball, by his mother’s will, Siegfried must finally choose his bride. Guests appear, brides
show themselves off to the Prince. Mother asks Siegfried to make a choice. He hesitates.
Suddenly an unknown knight appears with a beautiful daughter Odile. Odile, in every way
emphasizing her resemblance to the swan girl, seduces the Prince. Siegfried makes his choice –
convinced that Odette and Odile are one person, he declares Rothbart’s daughter as his bride and
swears eternal love to her. Rothbart and Odile laugh at him. A white swan is beating its wings on
the window of the castle.
Siegfried realizes his fatal mistake. In desperation, he rushes to the swan lake.

Scene 4.

Lake shore. The swan girls are anxiously awaiting the return of Odette. In desperation, she
tells them about Siegfried’s treason. The evil wizard triumphed, and now the girls have no
salvation.
A storm begins on the lake. The Prince runs ashore, begging Odette for forgiveness. The evil
wizard stirs up the natural forces against Odette and Siegfried. But the two lovers are not
terrified by thunder and lightning, and the storm does not frighten them.
The Prince fights with the keeper of the lake and defeats him.
Epilogue.
Evil charms no longer have power over Odette. The swan turns into a beautiful princess and
together with Siegfried joyfully meets the first rays of the rising sun.