Confoundingly similar… Prince Siegfried falls in love with the beautiful Odette, but then mistakes his beloved for the alluring Odile. Blinded by Odile's seductive powers, he makes a fatal mistake: he breaks his vow of fidelity and condemns Odette to remain imprisoned in the body of a swan.
What Hamlet is to theater, Swan Lake is to classical ballet. The tale of the enchanted swan-maidens, set to Tchaikovsky's famous late-Romantic composition, thrills both die-hard fans and newcomers worldwide, and no ballet repertoire should be without it. John Cranko created his own version, considered groundbreaking for the further staging history of the ballet, in 1963.
Out of the hitherto one-dimensional role of the prince, Cranko formed a very human, flawed Siegfried. Oppressed by the social expectations of a future king, he escapes his entourage on the eve of his 18th birthday. He finds his way to the titular Swan Lake, where he meets a group of maidens, including Princess Odette. These have been transformed into swans by the evil magician Rothbart. Only true and loyal love for Odette can save them. For a brief moment, it appears as if Odette and Siegfried can save each other. But the next day Rothbart appears at the celebrations of Siegfried's birthday and brings with him the beautiful Odile, who looks exactly like Odette. The evil deception succeeds: Siegfried falls for the ruse and agrees to marry Odile. In the end, not only do Odette and her companions remain in the magician's power as swans, but Siegfried loses his life in the waves of the lake after a last reunion with her. Cranko’s decision to avoid a traditional happy end and to have Siegfried’s choices have real and tragic consequences makes his version relevant to this day.
What Hamlet is to theater, Swan Lake is to classical ballet. The tale of the enchanted swan-maidens, set to Tchaikovsky's famous late-Romantic composition, thrills both die-hard fans and newcomers worldwide, and no ballet repertoire should be without it. John Cranko created his own version, considered groundbreaking for the further staging history of the ballet, in 1963.
Out of the hitherto one-dimensional role of the prince, Cranko formed a very human, flawed Siegfried. Oppressed by the social expectations of a future king, he escapes his entourage on the eve of his 18th birthday. He finds his way to the titular Swan Lake, where he meets a group of maidens, including Princess Odette. These have been transformed into swans by the evil magician Rothbart. Only true and loyal love for Odette can save them. For a brief moment, it appears as if Odette and Siegfried can save each other. But the next day Rothbart appears at the celebrations of Siegfried's birthday and brings with him the beautiful Odile, who looks exactly like Odette. The evil deception succeeds: Siegfried falls for the ruse and agrees to marry Odile. In the end, not only do Odette and her companions remain in the magician's power as swans, but Siegfried loses his life in the waves of the lake after a last reunion with her. Cranko’s decision to avoid a traditional happy end and to have Siegfried’s choices have real and tragic consequences makes his version relevant to this day.
Synopsis
Act I
Near the Prince's Castle
It is the eve of Prince Siegfried’s coming-ofage. The following day he must select one of the chosen princesses as his bride and assume the duties of kingship. But Siegfried is young and romantic, and hates the empty formality of the court. He is happier in the company of his old tutor or with his attendants and some young girls. This is the last day of his freedom and so they have all gathered in a remote spot to celebrate. But his mother, the Regent, has discovered where he is and comes to remind Siegfried that this unbecoming behaviour must stop. Siegfried reproaches her angrily for interfering with his last days of freedom: he is prepared to comply with her wishes, but not today. The Queen withdraws.
The Prince’s mood is spoiled, and he can no longer conceal his melancholy over the life that awaits him. A flock of wild swans fly overhead. To Siegfried they seem like a strange omen, and he follows them into the forest. Some of his companions, distressed, follow to make sure no harm comes to him.
It is the eve of Prince Siegfried’s coming-ofage. The following day he must select one of the chosen princesses as his bride and assume the duties of kingship. But Siegfried is young and romantic, and hates the empty formality of the court. He is happier in the company of his old tutor or with his attendants and some young girls. This is the last day of his freedom and so they have all gathered in a remote spot to celebrate. But his mother, the Regent, has discovered where he is and comes to remind Siegfried that this unbecoming behaviour must stop. Siegfried reproaches her angrily for interfering with his last days of freedom: he is prepared to comply with her wishes, but not today. The Queen withdraws.
The Prince’s mood is spoiled, and he can no longer conceal his melancholy over the life that awaits him. A flock of wild swans fly overhead. To Siegfried they seem like a strange omen, and he follows them into the forest. Some of his companions, distressed, follow to make sure no harm comes to him.
Act II
The Lakeside
The wild swans glide over the lake, lead by one wearing a crown. It is Odette, an enchanted princess, and the swans are
enchanted maidens in the power of the wicked magician Rotbart. At twilight they must turn back into swans.
Siegfried finds Odette, and they fall in love.Odette tells him that if his love is pure and constant, he will release her from the spell. Enchanted by her grace and beauty he swears to be true to her forever.
The wild swans glide over the lake, lead by one wearing a crown. It is Odette, an enchanted princess, and the swans are
enchanted maidens in the power of the wicked magician Rotbart. At twilight they must turn back into swans.
Siegfried finds Odette, and they fall in love.Odette tells him that if his love is pure and constant, he will release her from the spell. Enchanted by her grace and beauty he swears to be true to her forever.
Act III
The Throne Room of the Castle
The nobles have gathered to attend the celebrations of the Prince’s coming-of-age, his betrothal and coronation. The princesses have come from the most distant countries. Neither the princess from Poland nor the princesses from Spain, Russia and Naples,can win his heart. Siegfried watches the pomp and ceremony reluctantly, for he is in love with the wild, lofty vision of Odette.
Suddenly an unknown visitor enters with his daughter. It is Rotbart in disguise, and his “daughter” is really an evil spirit called Odile who resembles Odette exactly. Siegfried, believing she is his beloved, swears to marry her. But as they kneel for the blessing, mocking laughter shakes the palace. Odile vanishes; Rotbart triumphs; Siegfried has betrayed his love.
The nobles have gathered to attend the celebrations of the Prince’s coming-of-age, his betrothal and coronation. The princesses have come from the most distant countries. Neither the princess from Poland nor the princesses from Spain, Russia and Naples,can win his heart. Siegfried watches the pomp and ceremony reluctantly, for he is in love with the wild, lofty vision of Odette.
Suddenly an unknown visitor enters with his daughter. It is Rotbart in disguise, and his “daughter” is really an evil spirit called Odile who resembles Odette exactly. Siegfried, believing she is his beloved, swears to marry her. But as they kneel for the blessing, mocking laughter shakes the palace. Odile vanishes; Rotbart triumphs; Siegfried has betrayed his love.
Act IV
The Lakeside
Siegfried rushes to find Odette. Rotbart allows them a brief meeting before tearing her away from Siegfried forever. The lake steps over the shore.
The next morning the body of the Prince is found at the edge of the lake, drowned. A flock of wild swans glides across the lake, and among them is Odette, who must wait for a true and constant Prince, or she is condemned to remain a swan forever.
Siegfried rushes to find Odette. Rotbart allows them a brief meeting before tearing her away from Siegfried forever. The lake steps over the shore.
The next morning the body of the Prince is found at the edge of the lake, drowned. A flock of wild swans glides across the lake, and among them is Odette, who must wait for a true and constant Prince, or she is condemned to remain a swan forever.
