ACT ONE

PROLOGUE — THE LAKESIDE

One day, Princess Odette is gathering flowers by the lake when the sorcerer Von Rothbart appears and transforms her into a swan.

SCENE ONE — THE COURTYARD AND CASTLE

Festivities are underway to celebrate Prince Siegfried’s coming of age. The Prince is dismayed when reminded that he will soon be King. The Queen then presents him with the gift of a crossbow which excites him greatly. As he is left alone to contemplate his future, he suddenly observes white swans soaring overhead. Taking his crossbow, the prince follows them into the night.

SCENE TWO — THE LAKESIDE BY MOONLIGHT

While by the lakeside, one swan approaches the prince and transforms into Princess Odette. She explains that Von Rothbart cast a spell on her which can only be broken by someone who swears his love for her. Von Rothbart suddenly appears, and Prince Siegfried attempts to shoot the sorcerer. Odette explains that if he succeeds, the sorcerer’s spell can never be broken. Soon after, Siegfried swears his vow of eternal love to Odette though she warns him that if he breaks his vow, she is doomed to remain a swan forever. At dawn, Odette returns to the lake and becomes a swan again.

ACT TWO

SCENE ONE — THE BALLROOM OF THE CASTLE

As the Prince dances with princesses from countries around the world, his mind is filled with thoughts of Odette. Von Rothbart and his daughter Odile, disguised as Odette, arrive. Siegfried believes Odile to be his swan princess, and Von Rothbart forces him to swear his love to Odile. As Von Rothbart and Odile return to their true forms, the prince realises he has been deceived. As Von Rothbart destroys the castle, Odette and her maidens appear.

SCENE TWO — THE LAKESIDE

Odette forgives Siegfried for his unwitting betrayal, and they agree to remain together until death. In his rage, Von Rothbart raises a storm, but the love of Odette and Prince Siegfried proves stronger than his magic. As the couple throw themselves into the lake, Von Rothbart too is destroyed