Naomi Poulson

Naomi Poulson attends ballets regularly in her local area and elsewhere. A mainstay of classical, Western culture for many years, ballet has delighted audience members like Naomi Poulson for generations. Swan Lake remains one of her all-time favorite productions. Inspired by Russian folk stories, Swan Lake was composed and premiered in the mid-1870s in St. Petersburg, Russia. The ballet chronicles the trials and tribulations of the main character Princess Odette. Bewitched by the malcontent wizard Von Rothbart, Odette transforms into a swan during the daylight hours, living in a lake that has been filled with her mother’s tears. At night, however, Odette and other women like her regain their human form. One night, a prince named Siegfried witnesses Odette’s evening transformation from swan to woman.

Transfixed by her beauty, Siegfried approaches her and listens to her woeful misfortune. As their love grows, so does the possibility that Odette’s spell will break because of Siegfried’s eternal love and faithfulness. Determined to derail their romance, the evil Rothbart disguises his daughter Odile as Odette. When the prince is fooled,he dances with Odile and declares his love for her, and Odette is forever doomed to be a swan. Realizing his mistake, the prince seeks Odette, begging forgiveness. Knowing that death is her only escape from the curse and a life without Siegfried, Odette throws herself to her death.

When Siegfried follows, Rothbart’s spell finally breaks and the two lovers unite in the afterlife. This ballet, a romantic and endearing tale, is considered by Naomi Poulson and many others to be one of the most important works in classical dance, as well.