Qwiz5 Quizbowl Essentials – Swan Lake

Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake was initially greeted with a lukewarm reception when it premiered in 1877, but it has since become one of the most beloved ballets of all time. Swan Lake’s story is a tragedy with an uncertain provenance, but some theories suggest that the opera’s libretto came from German and Russian folktales or a story known to its choreographer, Julius Reisinger. Regardless of where the libretto comes from, however, we can all enjoy Tchaikovsky’s sublime composition.  Let’s dive in to some clues about Swan Lake!

By analyzing questions, you can see patterns emerge, patterns that will help you answer questions. Qwiz5 is all about those patterns. In each installment of Qwiz5, we take an answer line and look at its five most common clues. Here we explore five clues that will help you answer a tossup on Swan Lake.   

SIEGFRIED

While hunting a group of swans, Prince Siegfried learns that the birds were once women, but that they were enchanted by the evil von Rothbart. Siegfried falls in love with the Queen of the Swans, Odette, who tells him that the only way to restore her fully to her human form is to swear an undying oath of love to her and marry her. The pair dance the first of the ballet’s two famous pas de deux before the night ends and Odette returns to her swan form. Nevertheless, Siegfried vows to find her again and break her curse. 

VON ROTHBART

Von Rothbart has imprisoned Odette in her swan form during the day. When Siegfried and his friend, Benno, first discover Odette, von Rothbart appears before them. Siegfried attempts to kill the wicked baron with his crossbow, but Odette warns him that if von Rothbart dies her curse will never be broken. 

THE NATIONAL DANCES

Act 3 of the ballet takes place at a ball where Siegfried is to choose his wife. A bevy of princesses have arrived in hopes of winning a marriage proposal from Siegfried. Tchaikovsky’s music reflects the international character of the ball’s guests, with the various princesses dancing a Hungarian dance, a Spanish dance, a Neapolitan dance, and a mazurka (Polish dance). 

ODILE

The princesses dance for Siegfried, but he remains steadfast in his devotion to Odette. Eager to foil his plans, von Rothbart arrives with his daughter, Odile. Odile has been charmed to look exactly like Odette, only dressed in black clothing. Odile and Siegfried dance the black swan pas de deux together, and Siegfried declares his love for her and his wish to marry her. At this moment, von Rothbart permits Siegfried to see a vision of a white swan in a crown, and he then reveals that the prince has broken his vow to Odette. 

ODETTE AND THE SWANS

Odette and her fellow swans perform some beautiful dances during the ballet. The Dances of the Swans in the ballet’s second act features a famous pas de quatre. Known as the “Dance of the Little Swans,” this dance requires four dancers to hold hands as they progress across the stage. Sadly, beauty is not enough to spare Odette from her fate. In Act 4 of the ballet, she forgives Siegfried, but she tells him that she will live as a swan no longer. The pair of them pronounce their undying love for each other and drown themselves in the lake. 

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Quizbowl is about learning, not rote memorization, so we encourage you to use this as a springboard for further reading rather than as an endpoint. Here are a few things to check out: 

• Read this article to learn more about some of the factors contributing to Swan Lake’s initial rocky reception. 
  

• Following Tchaikovsky’s death his brother compiled an alternate version of Swan Lake with the assistance of Riccardo Drigo, a fascinating character in his own right.
  

• In Swan Lake Tchaikovsky created a beautiful and instantly recognizable oboe theme.

• Watch this video to get a sense of just how difficult the “Dance of the Little Swans” is to pull off! 

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