Swan Lake

P. I. Tchaikovsky

Swan Lake

Libretto by V. P. Begichev and V. F. Geltser

Ballet in two acts, four scenes
At the Abay Opera House, the premiere took place on 28.03.1938
New production 5.11.2016

Production team:
The Ballet Master- Gulzhan Tutkibayeva, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Musical Director – Askar Buribayev, honored worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Set and Costume Designer – Vyacheslav Okunev, people’s artist of the Russian Federation, laureate of State Awards of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan
Lighting Designer – Yuliya Karakayeva

Characters:

• Odette, Queen of the Swans
• Odile, Odette’s double,
  daughter of the evil genius Rothbart
• Prince Siegfried
• The Sovereign Princess,
  Siegfried’s mother
• The Prince’s Tutor
• The Jester
• Rothbart, the Evil Genius
• The Prince’s Companions
• The Prince’s Brides
• Little Swans
• Big Swans

Act One

Scene One.

A garden in front of the Sovereign Princess’s castle. Young people are merrily celebrating on the lawn. The Princess informs her son, Prince Siegfried, that tomorrow at the ball he must choose a bride. But his mother’s words do not find a response in the prince’s heart.

Dusk falls. Prince Siegfried dreams of the image of a girl he could love. But where is she?… Only a flock of flying swans catches his attention. Siegfried follows them.

Scene Two.

The swans lead Siegfried into a dense forest to the shore of a dark lake, to the ruins of an abandoned castle. Reaching the shore, the swans move in a slow round dance. Siegfried’s attention is drawn to a beautiful white swan who suddenly turns into a girl. She reveals to him the secret of the spell cast upon her and her companions: an evil sorcerer transformed them into swans, and only at night near these ruins can they assume their human form.

Moved by the sorrowful story of the Swan Maiden Odette, Siegfried is ready to kill the sorcerer. Odette sadly replies that this will not break his spell. Only the selfless love of a young man who has never sworn love to anyone before can lift the evil curse. Overwhelmed by love, Siegfried swears eternal fidelity to her. Rothbart, the evil genius dwelling in the castle ruins, overhears them.

Dawn breaks. The girls must once again turn into swans. Siegfried is confident in the power of his love — he will free Odette from the sorcerer’s power.

Act Two

Scene Three.

A grand ball. Guests from various countries, as well as noble brides, gather for the celebration. The Prince must choose one of them. But Siegfried is filled with memories of the beautiful Odette.

Suddenly, an unknown guest appears. It is the evil genius. He has brought to the ball his daughter Odile, strikingly похожую на Одетту. The evil genius orders her to enchant Siegfried and obtain from him a declaration of love.

The Prince mistakes Odile for Odette. He announces to his mother his decision to marry her. The sorcerer triumphs. The oath is broken — now Odette and her companions will perish. With злорадным смехом, pointing to Odette appearing in the distance, the sorcerer vanishes with Odile.

Realizing he has been deceived, Siegfried rushes in despair to Swan Lake.

Scene Four.

The shore of Swan Lake. A dark and тревожная night. Overwhelmed with grief, Odette tells her friends of Siegfried’s betrayal. Their hope of liberation is lost.

Siegfried rushes in. He has not broken his oath — he still loves Odette.

The evil genius, enraged, summons the forces of nature against the lovers. A storm begins, lightning flashes. But nothing can break the young, pure love or separate Odette and Siegfried. At last, the evil genius enters into single combat with the Prince and perishes. His spell collapses. Odette and Siegfried joyfully greet the first rays of the rising sun.