Swan Lake
12-15 December, Esplanade Theatre
A classical favourite, Swan Lake will be accompanied with music played live by the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra once more. The marriage of Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score and the remarkable choreography for Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov is the reason this ballet remain the most famous of all classical ballets.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
Date/Time:
12-13 Dec, 8pm
14 Dec, 2pm & 8pm
15 Dec, 2pm & 7pm
Venue: Esplanade Theatre
Tickets: $98, $88, $68, $48 (before SISTIC fees)

Prince Siegfried is celebrating his coming of age. With his 21st birthday comes his duty to wed and ascend the throne as King. However, he is young and carefree and feels that he is not ready to take on the mantle of King.
Prior to his grand birthday celebration, Siegfried is found in the company of his friends by his mother, the Queen. She reminds him of his Royal duty which is to find a bride. Being a romantic person, Siegfried wants to marry the girl he loves, not one chosen for him. The Queen gives him a crossbow as a gift, as well as two beautiful goblets – one for him and one for his future bride, whom he has to choose at his birthday celebration. The Queen leaves him to enjoy himself with his friends.
Siegfried sees a flock of swans in the sky and suggests they form a hunting party.
It is twilight and by the lake a flock of swans comes in to land, transforming into women as the sun sets. The group is lead by the Princess Odette. Prince Siegfried, hoping to shoot a swan, chances upon Odette and sees her magically transform from a swan into a woman. Odette tells Siegfried that she and her swan maidens are under a spell cast by the wicked sorcerer, Rothbart, where they spend the day as swans and can only revert to their human forms for a few hours at night. She explains that only the promise of true and everlasting love can break the spell and free her. Siegfried falls in love with the beautiful Odette and promises his love and protection. Rothbart appears and tries to chase the Prince away but fails. Odette and her entourage depart, leaving the Prince alone.
In the castle, a grand ball to celebrate Prince Siegfried’s 21st birthday is taking place. Guests from far and wide come to give their well-wishes. Prince Siegfried is introduced to six royal princesses, expecting that he will choose one of them for his bride. Rothbart arrives at the ball with his daughter, Odile, the Black Swan, who has been magically disguised to resemble Odette. Prince Siegfried, mistaking Odile for Odette, is tricked into breaking his vow by declaring his undying devotion to Odile.
At the lakeside, Odette is reunited with Prince Siegfried and forgives him for his unwitting error. Rothbart arrives at the lake and engages Siegfried in a flight, during which Rothbart is killed. The spell placed on Odette and her swan maidens is broken and they will never change into swans again. Odette and Prince Siegfried live happily ever after.
Fun Facts about our Costume: The stunning costumes you see on stage today were originally made back in 2007! They’ve been carefully preserved and passed down through generations of dancers, and they still look as beautiful and breathtaking as ever.