Festivities are underway on a terrace of the castle. Prince Siegfried is celebrating his coming of age and friends congratulate him. The mischievous Jester entertains those present.
Servants announce the arrival of the sovereign princess, Siegfried’s mother. She offers him an arbalest (a medieval crossbow) as a gift, and reminds him that the time has come for him to choose a bride at the next evening’s ball.
It grows dark and guests leave. Siegfried yearns to remain alone. He is troubled by obscure premonitions. Seeing a flock of white swans in the sky, the Prince rushes off to the lake.
At the lake, located in the thick of a forest, swans coming ashore are transformed into young women, and Siegfried lowers his arbalest, stunned by their incredible beauty.
The queen of the swans, Odette, explains that they are under the spell of the evil magician, Baron von Rothbart, and only the power of faithful love will be able to destroy the sorcerer’s spell. Siegfried vows eternal love to her. Odette warns the Prince that should he break his vow, no one will ever be able to help them.
Dawn approaches. Once again swans swim in the lake. Odette bids Siegfried farewell.
At the castle ball, beauties from various countries appear before the Prince, but none capture his attention. His heart belongs to Odette. Only at his mother’s insistence does the Prince show the young ladies any attention.
Trumpets announce the arrival of new guests. Impersonating a noble knight, the sorcerer von Rothbart appears with his daughter, Odile. Siegfried is confused as this beauty bears a striking resemblance to Odette. But Odile does not give the Prince time to collect himself. She charms and captivates him, and the Prince, carried away by her, makes a declaration of love. Henceforth, Odile will be his bride!
Siegfried has broken his oath to Odette leaving no hope for von Rothbart’s spell to be broken. Von Rothbart’s power has triumphed.
For a moment the Swan Lake scene reveals itself to Siegfried who realizing the terrible deception to which he has fallen victim, rushes to the lake to find Odette.
ACT IV
At night, at the edge of the lake, Odette explains to her friends von Rothbart’s deceitfulness and Siegfried’s unintentional betrayal. The Prince appears, begging her forgiveness and promising to redeem his misdeed. Siegfried challenges von Rothbart to single combat.
As Siegfried brings an end to the power of evil wizardry, the rays of the rising sun herald freedom, love and happiness.