ACT: 1 Scéne - On a summer evening in the park before his castle, Prince Siegfried, son of the Princess of the District, is celebrating the eve of his coming-of-age. At the ball tomorrow he must choose one of six Princesses coming to seek his hand in marriage. Wolfgang, his aged tutor, introduces a group of peasants come to join the merry-making. 2 Valse. 3. Scéne - The Princess, Siegfried's mother, reproaches her sone for frivolity; but encouraged by his friend Benno he resumes the revelry when she has gone. 4 Pas de trois - Dances for the peasants. 5 Pas de deux - Dances for the merry-makers. 6 Pas d'action - Wolfgang attempts to show his skill, but collapses drunk. 7 Suet - With the sun setting, Siegried suggests a final ensemble. 8 Danses des coupes - A polonaise for the entire gathering. 9 Finale - A flock of swans is seen flying across the sky, home to their lake in the forest. The Prince agrees to Benno's suggestion of a hunt for them and they leave Wolfgang in a state of total stupor.
ACT 2: 10 Scéne - A vast lake is shimmering in the moonlight; across its surface pas the swans before the wondering gaze first of Siegried alone and then of his friends. 11 Scéne - As the hunting party takes aim, the swans are transformed into beautiful maidens. Their leader asks Siegfried, 'Why do you persecute me?', and tells him that she is the Princess Odette and that all of them are bewitched by ehr wicked stepmother and watched over by her compainon Rotbart. Only a marriage vow can break the spell which holds them bound as swans by day and humans by night. Rotbart appers in the guise of an owl and threates Siegfried. 12 Scéne - Siegfried confesses the love he has begun to eel for Odette, and she promises him she will attend the ball tomorrow throu she warns him of the danger from her stepmother. 13 Danses des cygnes. 14 Scéne - To the same music as that of No. 10, Odettea and her companions return to swan form as dawn breaks.
ACT 3: 15 - In the castle, Wolfgang orders teh valets to admit the guests to the ceremonial ball. 16 Danse du corps de ballet et des nains - The Master of Ceremonies signals the revels to commence; among the dancers is a group of dwarfs. 17 Scéne - Siegfried refuses to name his bride to his mother. Rotbart appears with his daughter Odile disguised as Odette; Siegfreid delightedly welcomes her. 19 Pas de six - Dances for the Princesses. (Pas de deux: Tchaikovsky later supplied an extra number here for Siegfried and Odile.) 20 Danse hongroise. 21 Danse espagnole. 22 Danse napolitaine. (At the request of the choreographer, Julius Reisinger, Tchaikovsky satisified the wish of the prima ballerina Karpakova and of the management to have an addition Danse russe here.) 23 Mazurka. 24 Scéne - Siegfried announces Odile as his bride; Rotbart and his mother join the couple's hands, at which Rotbart turns into an owl and flies screeching from the hall while the Prince rushes into the night in pursuit of a vision he has glimped of the true Odette.
ACT 4: 25 Entr'acte. 26 Scéne - Odette's friends await her return by the lake. 27 Danse des petits cygnes. 28 Scéne - Odette rushes into her companion's arms and tells them of what has happened. A storm breaks out, and through it Siegfried manages to reach her. 29 Scéne finale - He begs her forgiveness, but she dies of grief in his arms. He casts her coronet upon the waters, whose waves rise to engulg the lovers; when they subside, the swans are seen gliding silently away across the lake.
Warrak, John Hamilton (1973) Tchaikovsky. London: Hamish Hamilton.