DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

THE REIGNING PRINCESS.

PRINCE SIEGFRIED, her son.

BENNO, friend of SIEGFRIED.

WOLFGANG, tutor of the prince.

ODETTE.

VON ROTHBART.

ODILE.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES.

HERALD.

Ladies and gentlemen of the court, guests, peasants, servants, swans, owls, etc. etc.



SWAN LAKE - A BALLET IN 4 ACTS.

ACT II.

A lake shimmers in the moonlight under the mountains. The ruins of a chapel sprawls along the edge of the lake.



SCENE I.

A group of white swans glides across the lake. The swan at the front of the group wears a crown.



SCENE II.

Benno and some companions arrive at the lake first. They spot the swans and wish to shoot them, but the swans swim away. Benno sends his companions off to tell the prince they have found the swans, remaining alone behind at the lake. The swans transform into beautiful maidens, and the maidens surround Benno. Benno is stunned with wonderment at their magical transformation and his helpless against their enchantments. When the prince and the other arrive at the lake, ready to begin their swan hunt, the swans flee. The young revelers get ready to shoot, and the prince also longs to unite them with an arrow. At this moment, a magic glow illuminates the ruins and Odette appears, imploring that the hunters show mercy and spare the lives of the swans.



SCENE III.

Siegfried, struck by Odette's beauty, forbids his friends to launch their arrows. Odette thanks him, telling him that she is princess named Odette. She and the other girls under her domination are the unfortunate victims of a wicked genie who bewitched them into swans during the daylight. It is only at night and near these ruins that they have the power to resume their human forms. The wicked genie in the form of an owl watches over them. Odette and her friends are trapped in their swan forms until someone, who has never pledged to love another, truly loves Odette. Only this true love can break the spell and liberate Odette and her friends. Siegfried listens, charmed by Odette. At this moment, the owl swoops down to the ruins and transforms into the wicked genie. He leaves after listening to the conversation of the young people. Siegfried is horrified at the thought that he could have killed Odette while she was shaped like a swan. He breaks his bow and throws it away with disgust. Odette consoles the young prince.



SCENE IV.

Odette calls her friends and together they do their best to distract the young prince with their dances. Siegfried is more and more charmed by the beauty of the princess, offering to be her savior. Siegfried has never professed his love for another, and therefore can deliver Odette and her friends from the evil genie's enchantments. Siegfried vows to kill the genie and free Odette. Odette tells Siegfried this is impossible. The death of the wicked genie can only happen at the moment when some insane person sacrifices his life out of love for her. Siegfried agrees. He will give his life for Odette with pleasure. Odette believes Siegfried loves her and has never proclaimed his love for another, but she knows the very next day his mother has ordered he must choose a wife at the ball. Siegfried says he will not be happy unless Odette attends the ball. Odette tells him this is impossible, because she will be a swan at the time of the ball and can only fly around the castle. The prince swears he will never betray Odette. Odette is touched by his love, but warns him that the wicked genie will try to trick him into swearing his love for another girl. Siegfried renews his promise to Odette, vowing that no enchantments can take his love from her.



SCENE V.

Dawn appears. Odette bids farewell to her beloved and disappears into the ruins with her friends. As the brightness of the dawn increases, the band of swans appears, swimming on the lake. Beyond Odette, the evil genie in the form of the great owl rustles his wings and flies off.