Swan Lake story guide

ACT I  |  ACT II  |  ACT III  |  ACT IV

A courtyard in the castle
Following his father's death, Prince Siegfried is to be crowned king and must therefore marry. He dreads the loss of his freedom and has no wish to choose a bride he does not love. It is the night of his 21st birthday and his friends at court have assembled to present him with the gift of a crossbow. His equerry and friend, Benno, has arranged an entertainment to divert him, but in the middle of these celebrations the Queen Mother arrives, unannounced. She is shocked at the revelry while the court is still officially in mourning and reminds Siegfried that the following day he must choose a bride. She departs leaving Siegfried despondent. Benno attempts to cheer him with the help of two girls and the men then join in a drinking dance to toast the future king. When the dancers have gone, a flight of swans passes and Benno suggests that Siegfried try out his new crossbow. They depart in pursuit.