SYNOPSIS

Prologue

The figure of the Evil Spirit emerges out of the darkness. He foretells the fate of two children, the future Odette and Prince Siegfried.

Act I

Scene 1. The court library. The prince, together with his peers from military school and his friend Benno, is awaiting his mother's arrival. To celebrate her son's coming of age, the reigning princess presents him with the family medallion. She also tells Siegfried that he should choose a bride at the ball the following day, from among the invited princesses. Siegfried hurriedly agrees, as his friends and the local villagers are preparing a merry party for him in the royal park. Everyone dances, the atmosphere is carefree. The general, teacher of the prince and other cadets, also succumbs to the festive atmosphere, forgetting that the princess ordered him to take care of her son. As darkness falls, the Evil Spirit appears. He lures the prince to the lake, where he turns into a night bird - an eagle owl. This is where Siegfried's fate will be sealed.

Scene 2. At the lakeside, the prince meets a swan-maiden and falls in love at first sight. This is Odette, transformed into a swan by the sorcerer's spell. If someone pledges true love to her, the evil spell will lose its power, and both she and the swan-maidens accompanying her will be restored forever to human form. Charmed by Odette's beauty, the prince swears his undying love.

Act II

The ball organized by the reigning princess has begun. The guests arrive, including princesses, one each from Hungary, Naples, Spain, Russia and Poland. Siegfried, who is late, finally appears. He is still mesmerized by his meeting with Odette and the princesses hardly make an impression on him. Suddenly the fanfares sound, announcing some unexpected guests. It is the sorcerer Von Rothbart and his daughter Odile, who looks exactly like Odette. Under the influence of the sorcerer's spell, Siegfried pledges his love for Odile, thus condemning Odette to eternal suffering. Suddenly realizing the cruel irony of fate, and filled with unwavering love for Odette, he runs to the lake.

Act III

In the dark of night at the lakeside, the Evil Spirit, again appearing as an eagle owl, is boasting about his victory over good. The swan-maidens are waiting for Odette, who appears completely distraught, prepared for the worst. The Evil Spirit knows that the maidens draw strength from their human form. He tries to gather them together to change them into birds again. That is when Siegfried appears, and is horrified to find Odette half-dead. He restores her to life with words of love and remorse. They try with all their might to resist their cruel fate. Odette realizes that only death can unite them. She throws herself from the rock, and the prince follows her. Angered by the death of Odette and Siegfried, the swan-maidens drown their persecutor and rise up to the heavens, following Odette and Siegfried. But the night is governed by its own laws, and the Evil Spirit reappears, hungry for a new victim.

Irek Mukhamedov