Swan Lake

ACT I

Prince Siegfried's birthday is celebrated at the castle.  The young prince’s tutor introduces him to the guests.

The Queen enters with her entourage. She wants the guests to rejoice with her; soon her son will choose his future wife among the beautiful girls she has invited. But the prince seems to have  his mind on other things. The prince’s tutor tries in vain to bring  him back to reality and the duties that await him.

ACT II

Lost in his dream, the prince notices a swan woman. Startled by her appearance, he approaches her. She tells him that she is a princess, that her name is Odette and that the evil Rothbart has cast a spell on her and other young girls, transforming them into swans. She can only be freed from his magic power by the one who will declare his eternal love for her.

Siegfried offers Odette to be the one who breaks the spell. Their encounter is disrupted by a large bird of prey (Rothbart), but Odette and Siegfried proceed to exchange their vows. Odette’s swan women form a wall with their wings to protect them from Rothbart’s attacks.

Siegfried invites Odette to the ball where he will choose his future wife, but Odette declines as she has been turned into a swan. Siegfried declares that he does not want to marry anyone else and swears he will remain forever faithful to Odette.

ACT III

In the palace, the master of ceremonies calls for celebration and joy. The Queen escorts her son to the ball. But the prince seems absent and behaves like a stranger to the world around him. After the ambassadors have presented folk dances from their different countries, the prince is introduced to the young girls who are likely to attract his attention, and among whom he is to choose his future spouse – but he rejects them all.

Suddenly, a mysterious creature appears, surprisingly similar to Odette. »It’s her, don’t doubt it anymore!« Siegfried is enthralled by the figure, in which he believes he can see his beloved, but it is Odile, Rothbart’s daughter, transformed into 
Odette by magic. It is her hand in marriage the deceived prince 
now asks for. 

Rothbart triumphs: Siegfried has just taken a false oath and lost the one he loves forever. Odette can no longer be saved. 

ACT IV

Davastated by grief, Siegfried realizes his terrible mistake. The swan women enter and then Odette. Siegfried’s involuntary betrayal has led to the completion of the evil spell: Odette will never regain her human form.  

The prince asks Odette to forgive him. Too late. Rothbart snatches Odette away from Siegfried.

The dream has shattered.

We recommend that you arrive at least half an hour before the performance begins. If you can arrive earlier, it's even better: 45 minutes before the start of the performance, there is a free audience introduction in the Golden Foyer - an excellent way to approach the performance! Please note that once the performance has started, no one will be allowed into the hall until after the first intermission.

We have put together some useful tips for your visit. Otherwise, our best advice is to arrive on time - discover the Opera House, leave your coat in the cloakroom, eat or drink something. AND, ask our ushers - they'll be happy to help! Outerwear and bags should be left in the cloakroom for safety and evacuation reasons.

You can rebook tickets yourself on the website up to 24 hours before the start of the performance within the the current season. Tickets cannot be cancelled (read more in our general terms and conditions).

Of course you can! Our partner Restaurang Grodan is on the ground floor facing Strömgatan - take the opportunity to book a table ahead of your visit! Each floor also has a service with drinks and snacks, at the stalls' café there is a slightly larger selection. We advice you to pre-book the intermission service so it is ready and waiting for you during the interval!