Swan Lake story guide

ACT I  |  ACT II  |  ACT III  |  ACT IV

The ballroom of the castle
At a grand reception Prince Siegfried must choose his bride from three princesses. They each dance for him but his thoughts are elsewhere and he refuses to make a choice. A fanfare announces the arrival of two univited guests; they are von Rothbart, disguised as an ambassador, and his daughter Odile, whom the sorcerer has transformed to look like Odette. The Prince is taken in by the unknown visitors startling resemblance to Odette and belives her to be the Swan Princess. While Odile and the Prince dance together a vision of Odette appears beseeching Siegfried to remember his vow, but his attention is distracted by the magician's spell. Infatuated, Siegfried asks for Odile's hand in marriage. Von Rothbart makes him swear his love for her and as Siegfried does so, Odette appears at the window. It is too late, he has pledged his word to another. The court is thrown into confusion and, in despair, the Prince rushes out in search of his love.