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Swan Lake

Swan Lake is a ballet with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composed in 1875–76 and first performed in 1877.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Swan Lake is a ballet with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composed in 1875–76 and first performed in 1877. It is one of the most famous and frequently performed ballets in the classical repertory, especially after the influential 1895 revival by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The ballet is based on Russian and German folk tales about a princess transformed into a swan.

Origins

Swan Lake was composed by Tchaikovsky in 1875–76 and premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1877. The original production used choreography by Julius Reisinger and was based on a scenario drawn from folk-tale traditions.

Story

The ballet tells of Odette, a princess cursed to become a swan, and Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with her. The plot centers on the struggle to break the curse through faithful love and the interference of Von Rothbart and Odile.

1895 revival

The 1895 production by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov is the version most strongly associated with the modern repertory. It helped transform the ballet from an initially weak reception into a major classical standard.

Legacy

Swan Lake is now among the most widely recognized ballets in the world and is frequently performed by major ballet companies. Its music, choreography, and imagery have made it a lasting reference point in classical dance and popular culture.

Key facts

  • Swan Lake is a ballet with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composed in 1875–76 and first performed in 1877.
  • The ballet is based on Russian and German folk tales about a princess transformed into a swan.
  • Its central characters are Odette, Prince Siegfried, and the sorcerer Von Rothbart.
  • The 1877 premiere in Moscow was not a major success; the 1895 revival by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov established it as a standard.
  • Well-known sequences include the “Dance of the Cygnets” and the black swan variation associated with Odile.
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Canadian context

Swan Lake is a staple of the repertory of major Canadian ballet companies and is frequently performed and discussed by Canadian arts organizations, including the National Ballet of Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who composed Swan Lake?
Swan Lake was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
When was Swan Lake first performed?
It was first performed in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
What is Swan Lake about?
It tells the story of Princess Odette, who is turned into a swan by a curse, and Prince Siegfried, who tries to free her through true love.
Who created the best-known choreography?
The best-known revival choreography was created by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov in 1895.
Was the original premiere successful?
No. The 1877 premiere was poorly received, but later revivals made the ballet famous.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_Lake
    Supports: Basic identification of Swan Lake as Tchaikovsky’s ballet, its date of composition, initial failure, and folk-tale basis.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Swan-Lake-ballet-by-Tchaikovsky
    Supports: Composition date, premiere in 1877, librettists, folk-legend basis, and the importance of the 1895 revival.
  3. Royal Ballet and Opera — https://www.rbo.org.uk/production/swan-lake-marius-petipa
    Supports: Plot elements involving Odette, Siegfried, Von Rothbart, and the ballet’s core story.
  4. National Ballet of Canada — https://national.ballet.ca/performances/news-hub/the-enduring-appeal-of-swan-lake/
    Supports: Canadian relevance and the ballet’s enduring popularity and cultural presence.
  5. Ballet Arizona — https://www.balletaz.org/swan-lake-a-history/
    Supports: Story summary, historical context, and the 1877 first performance.