I created this book to share the magic of ballet with you in a fun and approachable way. Inside, you'll find stories behind the most beloved classical ballets and a ballet dictionary to help you understand all the essential terms. Whether you're a b...
Swan Lake was a ballet composed in 1876 by Russian composer Pyotr (Peter) Ilyich Tchaikovsky or simply known as 'Tchaikovsky' (Pronounced like chai·cough·ski). The ballet unfolds across four acts.
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Act I: We are introduced to Prince Siegfried, who will rise to adulthood with a grand ball tomorrow. His mother, the Queen, insists that he must choose his future bride at the ball. Prince Siegfried is upset by this idea. As Siegfried and his friend, Benno, watch swans fly across the sky, Benno suggests they should hunt the swans they saw, in hopes to ease Siegfried's mind.
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Act II: As they venture into the forest, Siegfried gets separated from Benno. He finds himself by an enchanted lake with a group of swans. As night falls, the swans transform into human girls. Odette, the queen of the swans, captures Siegfried's heart with her grace and beauty. She reveals to him that she and her friends are under a curse by the evil sorcerer Baron Von Rothbart. They are swans by day and can only regain their human forms at night. She says that only true love can break the curse. Siegfried vows his love and promises to save Odette.
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Act III: During the night of the grand ball, Prince Siegfried has the opportunity to dance with many girls. Despite this, the Prince keeps his word and announces that he cannot marry. Von Rothbart then arrives in disguise with his daughter, Odile, who is also disguised, but as Odette. Siegfried mistakenly pledges his love to her. Von Rothbart and Odile reveal themselves, as they mock the Prince. Filled with regret and realization, Siegfried rushes back to the lake to find Odette.
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Act IV: Siegfried explains what Von Rothbart has done and begs for Odette's forgiveness. In a desperate attempt to break the curse, Siegfried and Odette leap into the lake, choosing death over eternal separation. Their sacrifice defeats Von Rothbart, breaking the curse and freeing the other swans. The lovers' ultimate act brings an end to the sorcerer's power.
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Act I photo via The Mariinsky Ballet All others via The Royal Ballet
