Ballet of the National Opera of Romania

Swan Lake

Tchaikovsky composed his first ballet, Swan Lake, during 1875 - 1876, based on the libretto by Vladimir Beghicev and Vasili Geltzer, which conveys the idea of good and true love overcoming evil, centered on the 'swan maiden', a symbol of purity and femininity, and her beloved Siegfried, whose honest love manages to break the spell that has held her captive. The current production directed by Vasile Solomon is faithful to the original classic character.

Synopsis

ACT ONE: In the garden of Prince Siegfrid's castle
It is Sigfrid's birthday and the young prince is celebrating a party in the garden of his palace with young men from the court and foreigners. The party atmosphere is brought to an end by the entrance of the queen and her ladies-in-waiting. His mother scolds him for the carefree life he leads and informs him that the next day there will be a ball with the ladies of the district where he will have to choose a wife. When the queen retires, the fun resumes and the prince and his friends drink and dance with the young ladies of the party. Soon it gets dark and the wings of swans are heard. Siegfried's friends propose to go hunting with the crossbow they have given him and they go into the forest.

SECOND ACT: On the lake shore
The hunting raid begins near the lake. A strange phenomenon stops Prince Sigfrid: he has seen the appearance of a magical and extraordinary creature, more woman than swan. She is Odette, a girl who was enchanted by the magician Von Rothbart and will remain a swan, except between midnight and dawn, until someone swears eternal love to her. The two young people quickly fall in love and when Siegfried is about to swear eternal love to her, Von Rothbart appears and threatens him to make Odette leave with him. Before Odette leaves, the prince invites her to the ball the following night. Odette leaves as a swan.

ACT THREE: The great hall of Prince Sígfrid's castle.
The ball begins and Prince Sigfrid is absent because he is waiting for Odette. His mother asks him to choose a wife and he refuses and confesses that he loves another girl. At that moment, an unknown nobleman and his daughter enter. The nobleman is actually the magician Von Rothbart who appears with his daughter Odile and pretends to confuse the prince. Sigfrid does not realize the deception and begins a dance with Odile. While they dance, Odette is seen in the distance and signals Siegfried to warn him of the deception.

FOURTH ACT: On the lake shore
From afar, Odette is seen weeping, the swan maidens try to console her and tell her that the prince was unaware of Von Rothbart's plan. Sigfrid runs desperately into the lake to ask her forgiveness and swears eternal love. Odette forgives him but tells him that it will be of no use, her forgiveness corresponds to his death. Sigfrid challenges Von Rothbart and defeats him. The magician's death frees Odette from her curse.