Swan Lake

Nothing is as graceful as the movement of a ballerina, but what do we do, when things take a turn during the preformance?

Last night, I had the honor of watching the Kiev Ballet preform the beautiful masterpiece by the name Swan Lake, but as a lover of the art, I found myself baffled by the change of ending.

I understand that not many will find the dark ending as flattering as others, but nevertheless, that is the ending.

The original tale of Swan Lake is simply stunning.

Act 1

Prince Siegfried, along with his friends and a group of peasants, celebrates his coming of age. His mother arrives to express her desire for him to marry soon, ensuring he upholds the dignity of their noble lineage. She has arranged a ball where he is to select his bride from among the daughters of the nobility. Following the festivities, Siegfried and his friend, Benno, notice a flock of swans in flight and decide to pursue them.

Act 2

Siegfried and Benno track the swans to a lake, only for them to mysteriously disappear. Suddenly, a woman adorned with a crown appears and introduces herself as Odette, one of the swans they were chasing. She shares her tale: her mother, a benevolent fairy, had married a knight, but upon her death, Odette’s father remarried. Her stepmother, a witch, sought to kill her, but her grandfather intervened. Overcome with grief for his daughter’s death, he wept so profusely that he formed the lake with his tears. Odette and her companions reside there with him, able to transform into swans at will. Her stepmother still desires her demise, taking the form of an owl to stalk her, but the crown Odette wears protects her. This enchantment will cease upon her marriage, thus ending her stepmother’s malevolent power. Siegfried falls deeply in love with Odette, though she fears her stepmother’s interference may thwart their happiness.

Act 3

At Siegfried’s ball, several young noblewomen dance, but none capture his heart. Baron von Rothbart and his daughter, Odile, then arrive. Siegfried is struck by Odile’s resemblance to Odette, though Benno remains unconvinced. Enamored by Odile, Siegfried dances with her and eventually pledges to marry her. In that moment, Rothbart reveals his true form as a demon, while Odile laughs, and a white swan wearing a crown appears at the window. Realizing his mistake, Siegfried rushes out of the castle.

Act 4

Heartbroken, Odette confides to her friends that Siegfried has broken his vow of love. As he approaches, they implore her to flee, but she longs to see him one final time. A storm brews as Siegfried arrives, pleading for her forgiveness. Odette, resolute, attempts to depart. In desperation, Siegfried snatches the crown from her head and hurls it into the lake, declaring, “Willing or unwilling, you will always remain with me!” The owl swoops down, seizing the crown. “What have you done? I am dying!” Odette exclaims, collapsing into his arms. The storm intensifies, and the rising lake engulfs them both. As the tempest subsides, a group of swans appears on the tranquil lake.

Over many years, have the ending been changed between happy and tragic, but I personally believe that the tale has a beautiful message to bring in its original form.

Take the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet as well, which would not have the same feel to it, if they both simply survived and lived happily ever after.

Each tale tells us that actions can have consequences, so think before you act.

That being said, the performance was spectacular and breathtaking. I look forward to seeing what is to come next and be whisked away on a beautiful journey.

As a conclusion, the performers were graceful and captivating, the setting was magical and realistic, and the performance in a total shall earn 4 1/2 out of 5, as I personally was missing the original ending.

Remember to enjoy every moment of your life and stay safe.

Kisses,

Micala.