For many of us, Swan Lake is one of the first productions we think of when ballet comes to mind. Between its emotional love story, its corps de ballet of swans dressed all in white, and its virtuosic dancing, this ballet has many of the elements we most closely associate with classical ballet!
These elements combine into a big production, and our company has been busy staging the many individual dances that make up Swan Lake. These dances all work together to create a certain mood, establish a character's personality, or move the narrative forward. Today let's take a look at what audience members can expect from the story and choreography at performances of Swan Lake on April 25 and 26.
Act I: Meeting Our Prince
The story opens on Siegfried, a German prince who is almost old enough to take on the duties of a king. He and his friends are enjoying a casual celebration in honor of his approaching birthday, but Siegfried's mood is dampened by his looming responsibilities.
These responsibilities feel even closer when the Queen Mother interrupts their merriment. She has brought a crossbow for Siegfried's birthday, but her gift comes with strings attached. The Queen Mother reminds him that she is hoping he will choose a bride at the upcoming royal ball in his honor. Although Siegfried understands his duty, he wishes he could marry for love rather than for the good of the kingdom. When a flock of swans flies overhead, Siegfried takes his crossbow and goes off hunting to distract himself.
Dances to look for:
Act I includes the Grand Waltz, which features student cast members from the BTM Conservatory, and the Pas de Trois (performed by the prince's best friend Benno and two ladies). Both dances are divertissements, providing enjoyable diversions from the main story.
Act II: Swans on the Lake
Siegfried is walking along the edge of a lake at dusk when he spots a swan about to land. He goes to shoot, but then can barely believe his eyes: the swan transforms into a beautiful young woman! She introduces herself as Odette and explains that she has been enchanted by an evil sorcerer. Only a vow of true love can free her and her fellow swan maidens from this enchantment.
Siegfried impulsively begins to make the vow, but Odette stops him. "Only if you mean it," she says. Before he can ask why, the sorcerer Von Rothbart appears. Rothbart tries to chase him away, but Siegfried stays. As he and Odette get to know each other, they fall in love.
Odette and the other swans begin to hope that they'll be freed, but Rothbart returns at daybreak. As the women transform back into swans and fly away, Rothbart once again warns Siegfried to stay away.
Dances to look for:
Swan Lake's Act II is filled with some of the most recognizable dances in the classical ballet canon. Watch out for the famous White Swan pas de deux, which highlights Siegfried's compassion toward Odette and their growing affection. Other memorable moments include the tightly choreographed Dance of the Cygnets, or Little Swans, the expansive flight of the Big Swans, and the emotive White Swan variation.
Act III: A Royal Ball
After a brief intermission, our production resumes with a royal celebration of Siegfried's birthday. As promised, his mother has invited eligible princesses from throughout Europe: Hungary, Russia, Spain, Naples, and Poland. Siegfried dances with each princess, but none measure up to Odette. As Siegfried tells his mother he cannot marry any of them, trumpets sound to announce two unexpected guests.
Von Rothbart enters the ballroom, accompanying a mysterious young woman dressed in black. Siegfried can hardly believe his eyes--it appears to be Odette, but her manner is altogether different than it was on the lake. They dance together, and an exultant Siegfried vows his love to her.
She and Rothbart laugh in Siegfried's face. This magnetic young woman is not Odette, but Rothbart's daughter Odile enchanted to look like her. Crowing over their victory, the two villains leave the ballroom. Too late, Siegfried realizes that the real Odette has been at the ballroom windows trying to get his attention. He rushes after her, back to the lake.
Dances to look for:
The national dances of the different princesses create a grand spectacle, much like the multicultural divertissements in Act II of The Nutcracker. Odile beguiles Siegfried throughout the Black Swan pas de deux, culminating in her flashy 32 fouetté turns. Her skill and confidence transfix Siegfried, preventing him from realizing she's not Odette.
Act IV: Forgiveness and Catastrophe
We return to the lake, where Odette has told the other swans about Siegfried swearing his love to Odile. They grieve together for what this means for their future. Siegfried arrives to beg for Odette's forgiveness, swearing that he will not leave her side.
A storm begins, and Von Rothbart descends upon them. The prince and sorcerer struggle, leaving Odette with no hope in sight. She leaps from a high cliff into the lake, with Siegfried following her soon afterward.
Will the two lovers survive? Will Rothbart be defeated? You'll have to join us at Swan Lake on April 25 and 26 to find out!
Visit our Swan Lake page for more information on tickets to the performances on April 25 and 26. We hope to see you there!
Swan Lake
Friday, April 25 at 7:30
Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 & 4:30
Promotional photos by Joanne Salyer
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