Today I created a new header image for Princess Portal, a crowned swan with a golden chain about her neck. I think Swans are the most beautiful birds in the animal kingdom, and they are the symbol of our state as well. The white Swan has always been special to me and so I thought I might also do a Princess Profile on Odette, the Swan princess.
Odette is the heroine of the Ballet ‘Swan Lake’ the musical score for which was written by Pyotr Tchaikozsky and it is one of the most well known ballets to this day, as well as being my personal favourite. Swan Lake is the story of young Prince Siegfried who must chose a wife from the many ladies presented to him, however he wishes to marry for love and one day follows a beautiful swan who turns in to a maiden at the touch of moonlight. He begins to proclaim his love to her, which would break the transformation spell but is interrupted by Count Rothbart, the sorcerer who enchanted her. Later, at a magnificent ball held in the palace Rothbart presents his own daughter, Odile, charmed so that she looks like Odette but is wearing black rather than white. The Prince mistakes her for the princess and proclaims his love to the Sorcerer’s daughter, thus trapping Odette in her Swan form forever. There are several endings to the story, some end happily with the Count defeated by their love and in others it is the Prince and Odette who tragically end their lives after realising the deceit.
I have been doing some research in to the origins of Swan Lake, and although it is often stated as being based off a Germanic Fairy Tale, no such tale seems to exist. Rather it is more likely that Tchaikovsky drew inspiration from a number of legends that feature Swan transformations, including the Seven Wild Swans and a tale about a man who steals a Swan Maiden’s feather cloak to make her his wife. Regardless of its origins, Swan Lake is an enchanting and moving story of both love and tragedy.
The image of a Swan Maiden or princess is quite mysterious itself. Swans are beautiful and powerful birds and they take mates for life, making them a symbol of love. White is also associated with purity, Odile the black swan being Odette’s polar opposite, although I have always had a sympathy for the Count’s daughter, especially after reading Mercedes Lackey’s “The Black Swan.”
If you ever get the chance to see the ballet performed, it is really breathtaking. I’ve also seen the Imperial Ice stars production which was an amazing feat, a complete ballet on a stage covered in ice!
March 9th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
The new header image is really pretty!
March 9th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Aw, the internet ate away the rest of my message o-o here it is again:
Thanks a lot for the princess profile!
Tchaikovsky is one of my favorite classical composers and I’ve been to the ballet performance of the Swan Lake when I was little… brings back memories ^-^
March 10th, 2008 at 3:21 am
I would love to see the ballet performed live, it’s really such a moving story.
Anything with Tchaikovsky is amazing : )
I love the new header too, the swan is so pretty! ^__^
March 10th, 2008 at 3:37 am
What u cute little swan, I love swans to..
Do you by any chance have a bigger image on that swangirl? I really like the picture.. ^^
March 10th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Swan Lake is my favorite ballet. I believe that since you like Swan Lake so much, you would absolutely adore the anime Princess Tutu. Don’t let the title fool you, it’s remarkably complex and has beautiful authentic ballet music. It seems to be very “you.”
March 10th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Swan Lake is also my favorite ballet!
I have actually had the opportunity to dance her solo from ACT II, which was a great experience. One of my dreams is to dance the lead in the full length production.
Thank you for writing about Odette!
March 11th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Oh, it’s also my favourite balled, Princess! I saw the Barbie movie and I was like o-o But I know Barbie is NOT the same as the ballet, but then I fell in love with the story and also with Tchaikovsky’s music
March 11th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Alina - Thank you! Tchaikovsky is one of my favourite composers too, I love Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker aswell.
Mimi - I agree on Tchaikovsky, and thank you!
Bella - I’ll see if I can find a bigger image for you!
Amber - I have seen all of the first season of Princess Tutu, and half of the second season ^^ it is one of my favourite anime and the music is beautiful (I have the soundtrack, so dramatic!)
Anna - Thats incredible, you must be such a talented dancer! I hope you can fulfill that dream someday.
Tsuki-chan - I have seen the Barbie version too! I love Barbie princess movies, though my favourite is The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Have you seen the movie ‘The Swan Princess’? You might enjoy that as well.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I really like that picture- would you mind telling me where/what artist it’s from? Thanks!