David McAllister – Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake
The greatest feat of dance
The feared sorcerer Rothbart has transformed Princess Odette of a distant land into a swan. At the lakeside, Prince Siegfried encounters a flock of swans and Odette, with whom he falls in love. Can the prince break the spell, or will Rothbart condemn Odette to an eternal curse?
Swan Lake is the world’s most famous ballet, which combined Tchaikovsky’s magnificent music with a visual world of iconic beauty. It also has a long history at the Finnish National Ballet, where it was performed as its first production a hundred years ago. David McAllister’s new version, commissioned for the centenary of the Finnish National Ballet in 2022, honours the rich tradition of the ballet.
“I believe this ballet will be a powerful and uniquely emotional experience for the audience. Its drama will stay with you as you leave to go home.”
– DAVID MCALLISTER, CHOREOGRAPHER
Tickets and performances
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synopsis
The much-feared sorcerer Rothbart captures princess Odette of a distant land and turns her into a swan. Prince Siegfried is preparing for his birthday celebration, which is to double as a coronation. He will take reign of the kingdom from his mother, a cold-hearted widow queen. The Chamberlin has been a father figure to him ever since the king’s death. The queen has invited four princesses to meet Siegfried for him to find a bride. Siegfried is disinterested and anguished, so he leaves to hunt by the lake with his friends.
Read longer synopsis
As he arrives at the lake, the prince sees a flock of swans and Odette, transformed into a beautiful princess. Odette tells him about Rothbart’s spell until the sorcerer draws her away.
Odette protects the swan maidens from the prince’s hunter friends, and Siegfried stops them from shooting at the swans. Odette and Siegfried dance a duet, which cements their love. As dawn breaks, Odette tells Siegfried that she can only remain a princess if someone breaks the spell by swearing eternal love to her through marriage. Rothbart interrupts the scene and the swan maidens turn back into swans. Led by Odette, they fly away.
Back at the palace, the princesses each present a dance from their native country to entice the prince. Rothbart arrives with his daughter Odile, whom Siegfried mistakes as Odette. As they dance, Odette tries to get his attention, but the prince is entranced by Odile.
Only when the prince has professed to marry Odile does Rothbart reveal the begging, crying Odette. In shock, Siegfried rushes out to find Odette.
Odette tells the swans that Rothbart has once again succeeded in stopping the curse from being lifted. Siegfried arrives in search of Odette. Rothbart sees that he is armed and escapes. Odette forgives Siegfried, but Rothbart returns.
Just as Siegfried attempts to kill Rothbart, Odette runs to stop him and is hit by his arrow. The desperate Siegfried is wracked with guilt: is this how their love story ends?
The full synopsis and other background information in the programme leaflet.
Gallery
The world’s most popular ballet
Creative team
- Choreography (after Ivanov-Petipa)
- David McAllister
- Music
- Pjotr Tšaikovski
- Set and Costume Design
- Gabriela Týlešová
- Lighting and Video Design
- Kalle Ropponen
- Conductor
- Johannes Witt
Cast
Cast will be published later.
Performance-specific soloists are published in the performance listing.
Listen to Swan Lake
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Stage24: More about the work
The keys to an entertaining evening
The performance takes place on our Main Stage, which has no fewer than 1,300 seats in its auditorium. Please note that the 3rd balcony is very high up. It provides an impressive view, but the front-row seats on this level may not suit those with a fear of heights. Explore the Main Stage and find out more about where to sit. You can also compare the view from different parts of the auditorium.
Price categories: Seats in the auditorium are priced according to the view of the stage and divided into eight price categories (A–H). In addition to seat location, the price is affected by the performance date and demand. Only standard-priced tickets are available in the lowest price categories (F–H).
Discounts
Discounts are available for selected productions, performances, and seats in the Stalls and the 1st and 2nd Balconies, unless otherwise indicated.
- Pensioners: €10 discount per ticket for selected seats in the Stalls and the 1st Balcony. The discount is available to all holders of the card for national pension recipients and anyone aged 65 or over.
- Students, military and non-military servicemen: 40% discount on the full ticket price.
- Children and those aged 20 and under: 40–50% discount on the full ticket price.
- Same-day tickets: A special rate of €30 per ticket is available for those aged 20 and under, students, military and non-military servicemen, the unemployed, and pensioners. The discount applies to seats in the Stalls, no earlier than 12 hours before the performance and subject to availability.
Please note that full-price and concessionary tickets for under-20s, students, and pensioners can be exchanged in our online store free of charge up to 24 hours before the performance. The value of the ticket(s) is credited to your customer account for later use.
Children and young people up to the age of 20 are eligible for a 40–50% discount on ticket prices.
Please note that children under the age of 5 are not admitted to Main Stage performances. The age recommendation for each production can be found at the top of its dedicated page.
For the best view, we recommend seats in the front Stalls or the centre of the 1st Balcony. If you’re unsure which seats would be most suitable, our customer service team will be happy to help you find the best options.
To ensure an enjoyable and memorable visit, see our Visiting with children page for more tips.
You can easily purchase accessible seats either through our online store or customer service. On the auditorium map, you can check the locations of accessible seats in the Main Stage auditorium (pdf). The accessible seats are marked with wheelchair icons to make choosing your seat easier.
Read more detailed instructions for purchasing accessible seats and ensure your visit is effortlessly enjoyable from start to finish.
The programme booklet provides background information about the production, its creators, and the story. It is published on the day of the premiere and can be purchased before the performance from the customer service desk in the Töölönlahti lobby, the sales desk at the Mannerheimintie entrance, all open counters of the Opera Restaurant, and selected members of our lobby staff. The price of the programme booklet is €7.
You can also buy the programme booklet in advance from our customer service desk or online via the Order refreshments page. See more detailed instructions here on how to purchase the programme booklet on the Order refreshments page.
The digital cast details for each opera and ballet, including the evening’s cast and creative team, are published online no later than on the day of the performance (please note that the link opens in a separate window). Cast details are also available on the displays and touch screens in the foyers, as well as under the My events tab in the mobile app.
Enhance your experience with refreshments. You can enjoy refreshments before the performance or during the interval. We recommend placing your order in advance, either through our online store or by calling our customer service. If tables are still available, online sales close no later than 24 hours before the performance.
Using the Opera&Ballet mobile app, you can order interval refreshments to a pick-up counter until shortly before the performance begins. Learn more about pick-up orders.
The Opera House is located by Töölönlahti bay. Our address is Helsinginkatu 58, which is well served by public transport.
The main entrance on the Mannerheimintie side usually opens 1.5 hours before the start of a Main Stage performance. Please make sure you arrive in good time, at least 15 minutes before the performance begins. Latecomers are only admitted after the interval so as not to disturb the performance.
At the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, our audiences and staff are committed to safer space principles. Everyone has the right to enjoy art in a safe environment, and we do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or inappropriate language or behaviour.
How to dress for the performance? Can I wear perfume? Do I need to pay for the cloakroom? Find answers to these questions and more on our Tips for visitors page. We have put together a comprehensive guide to help make your visit to the Opera House a success.