PRODUCTION:
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Marius Petipa
 and Lev Ivanov
Revised Choreography and Direction: 
 Konstantin Sergeyev
Conductor: Valery Gergiev

Running time: 129 minutes

Photos:
©  N. Razina

“The Kirov’s production is breathtakingly gorgeous.” – The Boston Globe

“Thirty-two swans moving as one.” – LA Times

“Ulyana Lopatkina is the company’s supreme swan queen.” – The Observer

After his birthday celebration, Prince Siegfried sees a flock of swans and journeys into the forest to hunt them. In the forest, the swans gather at the lake. Siegfried is about to shoot one, when suddenly she transforms into a beautiful young woman – Odette, queen of the swan-maidens. The maidens are under a spell cast by the evil magician Rothbart, forced to become swans; only eternal love can break the spell. Siegfried follows Odette into the forest and vows his love and fidelity to her. The next day, at a grand ball given for Siegfried, his mother urges him to choose a bride. He rejects them all, having given his heart to Odette. Rothbart arrives with his daughter Odile, who he has transformed into a black-clad likeness of Odette. Siegfried is tricked by Odile’s dark beauty. No sooner has he informed his mother that she is his choice, than he has a vision of the true Odette and realizes he has been deceived. Siegfried rushes into the forest to find Odette. Rothbart tries to force them apart and the Prince grapples with the magician, wounding him and destroying his power. Rothbart collapses and dies, and the spell is broken. Day breaks on the two lovers and the maidens they have saved.