![]() ![]() The scene darkens Odette is seen at the castle door, weeping. He realizes too late that he has been the victim of a terrible plot. Von Rothbart asks Siegfried to swear fidelity. ![]() Siegfried announces his intention to marry Odile. Siegfried is seduced by her, as von Rothbart holds the court in thrall. It is von Rothbart with his daughter Odile. As Siegfried struggles with his responsibility to marry, his mind remains with Odette and he cannot choose. The prospective brides dance for them, and the Queen Mother reminds Siegfried that he must choose one for his wife. They present their national dances for the entertainment of the Prince and the Queen Mother. Eligible young princesses from all over the world arrive to be introduced to Prince Siegfried so that he may choose a bride. Siegfried is left awestruck.Īct III – The Great Hall: Heralds and trumpets announce the start of the ball. Dawn approaches and Odette is compelled by the spell to return to her guise as a swan. Siegfried realizes his fate is now entwined with hers. The sorcerer disappears, and Odette slips away into the forest. The Prince, in his passion, reaches for his crossbow, but Odette immediately protects the sorcerer with her body, for she knows that if he is killed before the spell is broken, she too will die. But if he should forswear her, then she must remain a swan forever. She tells him she is condemned for eternity, and only if a virgin youth swears eternal fidelity to her and marries her can she find release. Indeed, this very lake is filled with her mother’s tears. She tells him she is a Princess of high birth who fell under the spell of an evil sorcerer, and now her fate is to be a swan only in the hours of darkness may she assume her human guise. Impressed by his gentleness, Odette unburdens the story of her plight. He assures her he will do her no harm and asks her to explain the marvel he has just seen. Unable to resist his curiosity, he steps out, only to startle and frighten her. 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. By the Lake: Prince Siegfried enters a moonlit clearing in the forest and sees a magnificent swan in flight. Siegfried declines, preferring to be alone.Īct II – Some hours later. Benno, his friend, finds him and suggests they go hunting. Siegfried, realizing that his carefree days are at an end, leaves the party at the height of the festivities to seek the solace of the woods. She leaves, bidding him to enjoy himself, but reminding him again to think about his royal obligation to be wed. The Queen Mother arrives to give him his present, a crossbow, and reminds him that, as he is to become King, he must choose a bride at the ball the next evening. Prologue: Long before our story begins, Odette, a beautiful princess, falls under the spell of von Rothbart, a wicked sorcerer.Īct I – The Prince’s Birthday Party: It is Prince Siegfried’s twenty‑first birthday and he is celebrating with friends. ![]()
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