ADVERTISEMENT
Monday, May 19, 2025
SUBSCRIBE
The Ballet Herald®
  • BALLET MAGAZINE
    • Ballet, Contemporary, and Modern Dance Performance Reviews
    • Interviews with Ballet Professionals
    • The Latest Ballet News
    • Feature Ballet Stories
    • Ballet Schools & Training
    • On This Day in Ballet History
    • Opinions
    • Ballet Meets the Mainstream
  • BALLET COMPANIES
    • Ballet Companies in Asia
      • Hong Kong Ballet
      • National Ballet of China
      • National Ballet of Japan
      • Singapore Ballet
    • Ballet Companies in Europe
      • Bavarian State Ballet
      • Birmingham Royal Ballet
      • Compañía Nacional de Danza
      • Dutch National Ballet
      • English National Ballet
      • Finnish National Ballet
      • Hamburg Ballet
      • Hungarian National Ballet
      • La Scala Theatre Ballet
      • Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
      • London City Ballet
      • Mariinsky Ballet
      • Mikhailovsky Ballet
      • National Ballet of Ukraine
      • Northern Ballet
      • Norwegian National Ballet
      • Paris Opera Ballet
      • Polish National Ballet
      • Royal Ballet of Flanders
      • Royal Danish Ballet
      • Royal Swedish Ballet
      • Scottish Ballet
      • State Ballet of Georgia
      • The Royal Ballet
      • The Stuttgart Ballet
      • Varna International Ballet
      • Vienna State Ballet
    • Ballet Companies in North America
      • Alabama Ballet
      • Alberta Ballet
      • American Ballet Theatre
      • American Contemporary Ballet
      • American Repertory Ballet
      • Atlanta Ballet
      • Avant Chamber Ballet
      • BalletX
      • Ballet Arizona
      • Ballet Arkansas
      • Ballet Austin
      • Ballet Idaho
      • Ballet Memphis
      • Ballet North Texas
      • Ballet Tucson
      • Ballet West
      • BalletMet
      • Boston Ballet
      • Carolina Ballet
      • Charlotte Ballet
      • Cincinnati Ballet
      • City Ballet of San Diego
      • Cleveland Ballet
      • Colorado Ballet
      • Complexions Contemporary Ballet
      • Dance Theatre of Harlem
      • Eugene Ballet
      • Grand Rapids Ballet
      • Hollywood Ballet
      • Houston Ballet
      • Indianapolis Ballet
      • Joffrey Ballet
      • Kansas City Ballet
      • Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
      • Les Grands Ballets
      • Los Angeles Ballet
      • Madison Ballet
      • Miami City Ballet
      • Milwaukee Ballet
      • Nashville Ballet
      • New Jersey Ballet
      • New York City Ballet
      • Oklahoma City Ballet
      • Oregon Ballet Theatre
      • Orlando Ballet
      • Pacific Northwest Ballet
      • Philadelphia Ballet
      • Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
      • Richmond Ballet
      • Royal Winnipeg Ballet
      • Sacramento Ballet
      • Saint Louis Ballet
      • San Francisco Ballet
      • Sarasota Ballet
      • Smuin Contemporary Ballet
      • Texas Ballet Theater
      • The National Ballet of Canada
      • The Washington Ballet
      • Tulsa Ballet
    • Ballet Companies in Oceania
      • Queensland Ballet
      • Royal New Zealand Ballet
      • The Australian Ballet
  • BALLET PERFORMANCE CALENDAR
  • BALLET SHOWS IN…
    • Ballet Shows in Australia
    • Ballet Shows in Chicago
    • Ballet Shows in London
    • Ballet Shows in Los Angeles
    • Ballet Shows in New York City
    • Ballet Shows in Paris
    • Ballet Shows in Toronto
    • Ballet Shows in Washington, D.C.
  • FAMOUS BALLETS
    • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
    • Cinderella
    • Coppélia
    • Don Quixote
    • Giselle
    • La Bayadère
    • La Sylphide
    • Romeo and Juliet
    • Swan Lake
    • The Nutcracker
    • The Sleeping Beauty
  • MORE
    • Dance Jobs
    • 2025 Ballet Summer Intensive Programs
  • BALLET MAGAZINE
    • Ballet, Contemporary, and Modern Dance Performance Reviews
    • Interviews with Ballet Professionals
    • The Latest Ballet News
    • Feature Ballet Stories
    • Ballet Schools & Training
    • On This Day in Ballet History
    • Opinions
    • Ballet Meets the Mainstream
  • BALLET COMPANIES
    • Ballet Companies in Asia
      • Hong Kong Ballet
      • National Ballet of China
      • National Ballet of Japan
      • Singapore Ballet
    • Ballet Companies in Europe
      • Bavarian State Ballet
      • Birmingham Royal Ballet
      • Compañía Nacional de Danza
      • Dutch National Ballet
      • English National Ballet
      • Finnish National Ballet
      • Hamburg Ballet
      • Hungarian National Ballet
      • La Scala Theatre Ballet
      • Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
      • London City Ballet
      • Mariinsky Ballet
      • Mikhailovsky Ballet
      • National Ballet of Ukraine
      • Northern Ballet
      • Norwegian National Ballet
      • Paris Opera Ballet
      • Polish National Ballet
      • Royal Ballet of Flanders
      • Royal Danish Ballet
      • Royal Swedish Ballet
      • Scottish Ballet
      • State Ballet of Georgia
      • The Royal Ballet
      • The Stuttgart Ballet
      • Varna International Ballet
      • Vienna State Ballet
    • Ballet Companies in North America
      • Alabama Ballet
      • Alberta Ballet
      • American Ballet Theatre
      • American Contemporary Ballet
      • American Repertory Ballet
      • Atlanta Ballet
      • Avant Chamber Ballet
      • BalletX
      • Ballet Arizona
      • Ballet Arkansas
      • Ballet Austin
      • Ballet Idaho
      • Ballet Memphis
      • Ballet North Texas
      • Ballet Tucson
      • Ballet West
      • BalletMet
      • Boston Ballet
      • Carolina Ballet
      • Charlotte Ballet
      • Cincinnati Ballet
      • City Ballet of San Diego
      • Cleveland Ballet
      • Colorado Ballet
      • Complexions Contemporary Ballet
      • Dance Theatre of Harlem
      • Eugene Ballet
      • Grand Rapids Ballet
      • Hollywood Ballet
      • Houston Ballet
      • Indianapolis Ballet
      • Joffrey Ballet
      • Kansas City Ballet
      • Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
      • Les Grands Ballets
      • Los Angeles Ballet
      • Madison Ballet
      • Miami City Ballet
      • Milwaukee Ballet
      • Nashville Ballet
      • New Jersey Ballet
      • New York City Ballet
      • Oklahoma City Ballet
      • Oregon Ballet Theatre
      • Orlando Ballet
      • Pacific Northwest Ballet
      • Philadelphia Ballet
      • Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
      • Richmond Ballet
      • Royal Winnipeg Ballet
      • Sacramento Ballet
      • Saint Louis Ballet
      • San Francisco Ballet
      • Sarasota Ballet
      • Smuin Contemporary Ballet
      • Texas Ballet Theater
      • The National Ballet of Canada
      • The Washington Ballet
      • Tulsa Ballet
    • Ballet Companies in Oceania
      • Queensland Ballet
      • Royal New Zealand Ballet
      • The Australian Ballet
  • BALLET PERFORMANCE CALENDAR
  • BALLET SHOWS IN…
    • Ballet Shows in Australia
    • Ballet Shows in Chicago
    • Ballet Shows in London
    • Ballet Shows in Los Angeles
    • Ballet Shows in New York City
    • Ballet Shows in Paris
    • Ballet Shows in Toronto
    • Ballet Shows in Washington, D.C.
  • FAMOUS BALLETS
    • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
    • Cinderella
    • Coppélia
    • Don Quixote
    • Giselle
    • La Bayadère
    • La Sylphide
    • Romeo and Juliet
    • Swan Lake
    • The Nutcracker
    • The Sleeping Beauty
  • MORE
    • Dance Jobs
    • 2025 Ballet Summer Intensive Programs
No Result
View All Result
The Ballet Herald®
Home Famous Ballets

Swan Lake

Cherilyn J. LeebyCherilyn J. Lee
May 21, 2019 - Updated on March 21, 2025
in Famous Ballets
Reading Time: 4 mins read

Swan Lake
 

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • ★ Who are the characters in Swan Lake?
  • ★ What is the story of Swan Lake?
    • ACT I: A Lakeside Park by the Palace
    • ACT II: A Moonlit Lakeside
    • ACT III: The Palace
    • ACT IV: The Lakeside
  • ★ Who composed the music for Swan Lake?
  • ★ Find Swan Lake Performances Near You
  • ★ Recent Swan Lake Stories
  • ★ Watch Swan Lake Online
  • ★ List of Classical Ballets

★ Who are the characters in Swan Lake?

The roles in the ballet are possible based on Russian and German folktales.

(in alphabetical order)

Odette: aka, the White Swan, previously a Princess

Odile: aka, the Black Swan, daughter to Rothbart

Prince Siegfried: In love with Odette

The Queen: Mother to Siegfried

Rothbart: Father to Odile


★ What is the story of Swan Lake?

The original choreography for the ballet Swan Lake was created by Julius Reisinger.

ACT I: A Lakeside Park by the Palace

It is Prince Siegfried’s birthday and his mother, the Queen, gifts him with a crossbow along with her request that he finally settle down and marry. She goes so far as to present her son with a few eligible princesses but he is not receptive and prefers to drink and be merry with his friends if he cannot marry for love.

The Prince escapes the pressure and melancholy of the court by joining the hunting party his friend Benno has organized in response to the flock of swans he has seen flying overhead.

ACT II: A Moonlit Lakeside

Prince Siegfried separates from the rest of the hunting party when a swan crosses his path. He takes aim with his new crossbow but suddenly halts when the swan transforms into the beautiful Princess Odetette right before his eyes. She pleads with the Prince to drop his weapon and explains how she and her fellow swan maidens are cast under the spell of the evil Rothbart – they are swans by day and only revert to their human forms for a few hours every evening. The only thing that can break the spell is the love of one who has never loved before.

Enamored, Prince Siegfried endeavors – and eventually succeeds – in gaining the trust and love of Odette. Yet when dawn breaks, she is but a swan again and is drawn back to the lake.

ACT III: The Palace

Relentless, the Queen has prepared a grand ball at the palace during which her son is to choose his betrothed. Naturally, he is distracted by his love for Odette – a secret that he has not shared with anyone. The regal candidates are presented by their ambassadors and dance for the Prince in the hopes of winning his attention. None succeed.

The festivities are suddenly interrupted by a couple of uninvited guests, Rothbart and his daughter Odile who has been made to resemble Odette. Odile does everything in her power to dazzle him (including with the famous 32 fouettés!) and the ploy works; soon Prince Siegfried falls under the evil master’s spell and in love with Odile, therefore breaking his vow of fidelity to Odette. He promises to marry Odile right before Rothbart presents him with a vision of Odile. The Prince, now aware of his grave error, flees back to the lake in despair.

ACT IV: The Lakeside

Editor’s note: The ending of Swan Lake varies significantly depending on the vision of the choreographer. Below are a couple of the scenarios.

Upon finding Odette at the lake, Prince Siegfried begs for his true love’s forgiveness. Knowing that they can never be together because of his betrayal, she grants him his wish.

• As she does not want to be a swan forever, Odette prefers to die. Siegfried chooses to stay united with her and thus jumps into the lake with her. They are now happily together for always, Rothbart’s spell is broken, and the swan maidens all return to their human form.

• Rothbart returns to the scene just in time to disrupt reunited couple. He conjures up a violent storm; at the end, Odette is left alone to mourn the death of her love.

(Classical ballets have evolved over time, lending themselves to different interpretations as choreographers and directors create works that reflect their visions of the story. The above is intended to provide general information; for details on different versions, click on each of the performances below.)

 

★ Who composed the music for Swan Lake?

The musical score for Swan Lake was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Upon making her debut as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Anna Sobeshchanskaya was so displeased with the ballet in general that she requested Petipa to add a pas de deux which he did so to music by Ludwig Minkus. Insulted, Tchaikovsky said he should be the composer, thus creating music to fit the finished choreography. George Balanchine also ended up choreographing to this section of the score, titling it simply (and now famously) “Tchaikovsky pas de deux”.

 

★ Find Swan Lake Performances Near You

May 20
7:30 pm
Linda Ronstadt Music Hall

State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine: Swan Lake

May 24 - 31
Bavarian State Opera

Bavarian State Ballet: Illusions Like Swan Lake

Jun 10 - Jul 13
Metropolitan Opera House

American Ballet Theatre: Swan Lake

Jun 13 - Jul 6
Norman Bragg Studio

The Royal Ballet: Swan Lake

Jun 20 - 22
Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Miami City Ballet: Swan Lake

Jun 25 - 26
Central Hall Westminster

Gala de Danza: London

Load More

 

★ Recent Swan Lake Stories

The Grey Swan: Where Retired Dancers Take the Stage Again
The Latest Ballet News

The Grey Swan: Where Retired Dancers Take the Stage Again

byCherilyn J. Lee
May 9, 2025
ABT Swan Lake Review - DC -2024
Ballet, Contemporary, and Modern Dance Performance Reviews

ABT Swan Lake Review: Still a Feast for the Eyes

byOksana Khadarina
February 29, 2024 - Updated on May 23, 2024
Colorado Ballet Opens 2023-2024 Season with Swan Lake
The Latest Ballet News

Colorado Ballet Opens 2023-2024 Season with Swan Lake

byBallet Herald News Desk
September 7, 2023 - Updated on April 7, 2025
Christopher Stowell's Swan Lake Returns to OBT After a Decade
The Latest Ballet News

Christopher Stowell’s Swan Lake Returns to OBT After a Decade

byBallet Herald News Desk
August 23, 2023 - Updated on October 23, 2023
Load More

Find more news on The Ballet Herald YouTube Channel.

 

★ Watch Swan Lake Online

Swan Lake (The Australian Ballet)
$10.99

Choreography by: Graeme Murphy

Directed by: Simon Francis

CAST

  • Princess Odette: Madeleine Eastoe
  • Prince Siegfried: Robert Curran
  • Baroness von Rothbart: Danielle Rowe
Swan Lake (The Australian Ballet)
Watch The Australian Ballet's Swan Lake
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
02/06/2025 05:00 pm GMT
Swan Lake (Bolshoi Ballet)
$7.99

Choreography by: Yuri Grigorovich, after Marius Petipa

Directed by: Vincent Bataillon

CAST

  • Odette / Odile: Svetlana Zakharova
  • Prince Siegfried: Denis Rodkin
  • The Evil Genius: Artemy Belyakov
  • The Princess Mother: Yekaterina Barykina
  • The Tutor: Alexei Loparevich
Swan Lake (Bolshoi Ballet)
Watch Bolshoi Ballet's Swan Lake
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
02/08/2025 05:00 am GMT
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake: The Legend Returns
$10.99

Choreography by: Matthew Bourne

Produced by: Lucie Conrad

CAST

  • Liam Mower
  • Will Bozier
  • Adam Cooper
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake: The Legend Returns
Watch Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
02/02/2025 05:00 am GMT
Black Swan
$14.99

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

CAST

  • Nina Sayers / White Swan / Odette: Natalie Portman
  • Lily / Black Swan / Odile: Mila Kunis
  • Thomas Leroy / The Gentleman: Vincent Cassel
  • Erica Sayers / The Queen: Barbara Hershey
  • Elizabeth "Beth" MacIntyre / The Dying Swan: Winona Ryder
  • David Moreau / Prince Siegfried: Benjamin Millepied
Black Swan
Watch Black Swan
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
02/05/2025 05:00 am GMT

★ List of Classical Ballets

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Cinderella

Coppélia

Don Quixote

Giselle

La Bayadère

La Sylphide

Romeo and Juliet

Swan Lake

The Nutcracker

The Sleeping Beauty

Cherilyn J. Lee

Cherilyn J. Lee

Cherilyn's lifelong passion for ballet has opened the door to the next chapter of her journey. Her strong foundation includes training at the School of American Ballet, being a featured dancer with Hartford Ballet and Carolina Ballet, and being co-director/owner of City Ballet Raleigh. She was granted the Affiliate Teacher Award after successfully completing the ABT National Training Curriculum®. A professional career in the industry along with extensive global travel provide her with a unique set of experiences to draw upon as a journalist and audience member. Cherilyn is excited to be sharing her insight and news about ballet around the world.

The Ballet Herald®

SECTIONS

  • Dance Performance Reviews
  • Interviews with Ballet Professionals
  • Feature Ballet Stories
  • The Latest Ballet News
  • Ballet Schools & Training
  • Opinions

FAMOUS BALLETS

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • Cinderella
  • Coppélia
  • Don Quixote
  • Giselle
  • La Bayadère
  • La Sylphide
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Swan Lake
  • The Nutcracker
  • The Sleeping Beauty

MORE

  • Ballet Performances
  • Ballet Companies
  • Ballet Summer Intensives
  • Dance Jobs

COMPANY

  • About
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertisement & Paid Content Opportunities

© 2025 The Ballet Herald™ by BalletNomad, LLC®

Receive a roundup of ballet news & performances direct to your inbox.

The most interesting ballet news and stories of the week.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home Page
  • Ballet Performance Calendar
  • Ballet Magazine
    • Ballet, Contemporary, and Modern Dance Performance Reviews
    • Interviews with Ballet Professionals
    • The Latest Ballet News
    • Feature Ballet Stories
    • Ballet Schools & Training
    • On This Day in Ballet History
    • Opinions
    • Ballet Meets the Mainstream
  • Ballet Shows In…
    • Ballet Shows in Australia
    • Ballet Shows in Chicago
    • Ballet Shows in London
    • Ballet Shows in Los Angeles
    • Ballet Shows in New York City
    • Ballet Shows in Paris
    • Ballet Shows in Toronto
    • Ballet Shows in Washington, D.C.
  • Famous Ballets
    • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
    • Cinderella
    • Coppélia
    • Don Quixote
    • Giselle
    • La Bayadère
    • La Sylphide
    • Romeo and Juliet
    • The Nutcracker
    • Swan Lake
    • The Sleeping Beauty
  • List of Ballet Companies
  • 2025 Ballet Summer Intensives
  • Dance Jobs
  • ⊙ About
  • ⊙ Contact
  • ⊙ Advertisement & Paid Content Opportunities
  • ⊙ Privacy Policy
  • ☕ Buy us a coffee!

© 2025 The Ballet Herald™ by BalletNomad, LLC®

Receive a roundup of ballet news & performances direct to your inbox.

The most interesting ballet news and stories of the week.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home Page
  • Ballet Performance Calendar
  • Ballet Magazine
    • Ballet, Contemporary, and Modern Dance Performance Reviews
    • Interviews with Ballet Professionals
    • The Latest Ballet News
    • Feature Ballet Stories
    • Ballet Schools & Training
    • On This Day in Ballet History
    • Opinions
    • Ballet Meets the Mainstream
  • Ballet Shows In…
    • Ballet Shows in Australia
    • Ballet Shows in Chicago
    • Ballet Shows in London
    • Ballet Shows in Los Angeles
    • Ballet Shows in New York City
    • Ballet Shows in Paris
    • Ballet Shows in Toronto
    • Ballet Shows in Washington, D.C.
  • Famous Ballets
    • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
    • Cinderella
    • Coppélia
    • Don Quixote
    • Giselle
    • La Bayadère
    • La Sylphide
    • Romeo and Juliet
    • The Nutcracker
    • Swan Lake
    • The Sleeping Beauty
  • List of Ballet Companies
  • 2025 Ballet Summer Intensives
  • Dance Jobs
  • ⊙ About
  • ⊙ Contact
  • ⊙ Advertisement & Paid Content Opportunities
  • ⊙ Privacy Policy
  • ☕ Buy us a coffee!

© 2025 The Ballet Herald™ by BalletNomad, LLC®