swan segelyachten

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Nautor’s Swan Yachts For Sale

Finnish builder Nautor’s Swan has been producing notable performance FRP sailing yachts and superyachts from 16.48 to 35.20 metres since the 1960s. Today, the yard offers a larger range of yachts with owners invited to the ClubSwan program, where the yard can maintain close contact with its active fleet through annual regattas and rendezvous. To join them, take a look at the latest Nautor's Swan yachts for sale listed on BOAT. 

Yacht Features

Propulsion System

YACHT-Test : Die neue Swan 48: Wie gut ist edel?

Fridtjof Gunkel

 ·  27.08.2019

Die neue Swan bildet den unteren Abschluss der neuen Fahrtenyachtlinie. Auch das neue Design des Argentiniers orientiert sich an den Merkmalen von aktuellen Hochsee-Racern. Der Rumpf ist voluminös und bleibt achtern sehr breit, es gibt doppelte Ruderblätter, und der Mast steht weit hinten für größere Vorsegel. So sollen vorn am Ende des festen Bugspriets der Gennaker, dahinter ein Code Zero, am Steven die Fock und an Deck ein Stagsegel gesetzt werden können. Der Rumpf ist auf eine maximale Krängung von 20 Grad optimiert.

Im halboffenen Heck ist eine Dingi-Garage eingebaut, die per Heckklappe erreicht wird. Garage wie auch Segellast sind wasserdicht zum übrigen Rumpf hin abgeschottet. Im Interieur sind drei Kabinen vorgesehen. Die Eigner residieren mit eigenem Bad inklusive separierter Dusche vorn. Steuerbord achtern liegt die sogenannte VIP-Kabine mit zwei großen Einzelkojen, die sich mit Einlegepolstern zu einer riesigen Koje vergrößern lassen. Backbord gibt es eine konventionelle Gästekabine. Die Swan 48 ist in drei verschiedenen Gestaltungsstilen zu haben, und der Eigner wählt auch zwischen Kiel-, Rigg- und Bugspriet-Varianten.

Lesen Sie in der YACHT, Ausgabe 17/2019, ob sich der Mythos Swan auch in der neuen 48 fortsetzt. Das Heft ist im DK-Shop erhältlich, oder Sie laden sich den Test direkt über den Link unten herunter.

Swan 48 (pdf)

Meistgelesen in der Rubrik Yachten

• Concepts , News , Superyachts

Swan 120: here is the new Nautor superyacht

• Giorgio Ranucci
• December 21, 2020

The Swan 120 brings together the skill and craftsmanship of three distinct groups, all renowned in their individual fields, and working together, in partnership, to create a masterful interpretation of the modern superyacht. Delivering unparalleled comfort, safe passage-making and the requisite level of reliability, the Swan 120 resets the bar for this size of yacht.

The naval architecture for the inspirational project emanates from the Buenos Aires office of maestro, Germán Frers, house designer for Nautor’s Swan since the early 1980s. A fresh, influential element in the longstanding collaboration between Argentinean flair and Finnish build-prowess, is the interior design contribution of Genovese architect, Misa Poggi. Featuring the latest construction techniques and materials, along with an innovative range of solutions, the Swan 120 is aimed at defining the next generation of performance superyacht design.

Shaping the present, influencing the future

The shape of the Swan 120 reflects the elegance and style Frers brings to all his yachts, particularly Swan yachts where the lines are instantly recognizable and make a statement in every harbour and on every ocean. From the stunning stem, with the typical Germán Frers sheerline, the hull lines sweep gently aft. From around the mid-point, the smooth rocker in the hull rises to a masculine stern with powerful, dynamic quarters above the waterline. The hull design carries almost all of the maximum beam right aft, a concept that delivers excellent form stability when heeled and at the same time creates generous volume below.

At deck level, a clean foredeck leads aft to the coach roof of the raised saloon, which blends seamlessly into an expansive, protected cockpit area. This core element of the experience afloat is completely free of lines, enabling those not engaged in the sailing of this sublime superyacht to truly relax while underway. The detailed design conceals a sophisticated, electrically controlled bimini top and sprayhood, which disappears into completely flush coach roof cassette when not in use, and offers extensive shelter from sea and sun.

At anchor, the cockpit area transforms into an encompassing lounge space. With versatile deck sofas, it is the perfect place to unwind as the sun sets before converting into an elegant, intimate dining area. Following the philosophy of other designs in the Maxi Swanline, the Swan 120 also offers ‘aisle seats’ to enhance both the sailing and leisure experience. Aft of the deck lounge is a clean deck space, still sheltered by the coamings, which runs to behind the steering pedestals with ‘aero-seating’. In-between the helming stations, it is possible to incorporate a ‘snug-island’, which provides protected access to the aft accommodation with a dodger, sprayhood and cozy seating for those on watch.

The voluminous stern section will gain real attention when the yacht is at rest. The transom folds down hydraulically to form a teak-decked swim platform and reveal spacious garage housing a tender of 4.5 metres and other toys of choice. Once the tender is launched, the large area becomes available for watersports, sunbathing and even dining. The design means the clean Swan stern under sail effortlessly transforms into a large ‘beach-deck’, connected to a well-organized ‘hangar’ for maximum entertainment at anchor. In addition to the stern platform swinging down, a section of the aft-deck may be opened up to convert into a large sunbed at deck level.

The hull and deck of the Swan 120 will be a full carbon fibre construction, using epoxy SPRINT® pre-preg carbon fibre interior and exterior skins on a core of M-grade Corecell foam. The pre-preg system provides the ultimate in structural stiffness and rigidity at the lightest possible weight, while at the same time ensuring absolute structural integrity. The hull will be laid up in a female mould tooled from the same technology, thereby ensuring identical mechanical properties when the hull undergoes heat curing using the very latest in oven technology. The yacht will be brought to life in Nautor’s Swan’s state-of-the-art superyacht facility in Pietarsaari, Finland. Latest materials, cutting-edge build techniques and the finest craftsmanship, for which Nautor’s Swan is renowned the world over, will be employed.

The Interior Touch of Swan 120

Within this graceful hull is an interior designed by architect Misa Poggi. Two principal interior concepts have been conceived: Owner Aft and Owner Forward. Both Owner stateroom configurations, offer three exceptional guest cabins, each with ensuite bathroom. Misa has developed a sophisticated theme specifically for the Swan 120 project, featuring the finest Italian textiles and leathers to create the ultimate ambiance in comfort and luxury, for the Owner as well as family and guests.

The spacious saloon is accessed from deck via a magnificent 1.8m wide companionway door constructed of curved glass to maximise ease of access and natural light below. Both full-beam, comprehensively-appointed owner’s suite options feature Misa Poggi’s stylish design-touches with ensuite facilities and the possibility of a walk-in wardrobe.

In addition to the Owner’s stateroom, there are three ensuite guest cabins envisaged, one double and two twins, along with three twin crew cabins, also ensuite. In both layouts, for privacy, the galley and laundry are positioned close to the crew quarters and provide everything needed for seamless service of the Owner and guests. At the heart of the yacht, and flooded with natural light from the coach roof above, is a spacious saloon, featuring a lounge area to port and a dining suite to starboard. There is a unique saloon layout option that features a large hull window adjacent to daybeds. This soft-furnished space is perfect while under sail or just before the night falls. The proximity to the hull and water offers an experience of the sea in true alignment with Misa’s core philosophy for the interior. It has been commented that these saloon beds are reminiscent of the ‘pilot berths’ typically found in Swan yachts from the 1970s.

Systems, Rig & Appendages

The Swan 120 comes with a comprehensive specification as standard, but there is an extensive list of options to ensure each yacht reflects her Owner’s unique interests and style. Three sail-plan configurations echo the diversity of approach to the sport of sailing and that different Owners will favour different sailing grounds. Capable of world girdling exploits to concentrating exploration of the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Pacific, the emphasis will always respond to the needs.

In addition to the sail-plan considerations, Nautor’s Swan has given thought to the underwater appendages. Chief among these is the option of a telescopic keel, which reduces draught from 5.5 to 3.5 metres. In conjunction with the standard twin rudders, this keel option opens up a world of shoal-draft lagoons, colourful harbours and remote, unspoiled anchorages without compromising sailing performance. As expected, the system design is optimized for safety and reliability without any intrusion into the interior. The anchor for a vessel of this size is critical piece of equipment and the design-thinking has had made sure that the Swan 120 has an appropriate system. The anchor is launched and retrieved by means of a hydraulic retracting and folding arm, utilizing a design that has proven its reliability and ease of use over many years.

The Swan 120 has been designed to enable worldwide cruising without compromise. Advanced sail handling systems are complemented by abundant deck stowage including a spacious forward sail locker and two aft lazarettes. She also has generous tankage for both water and fuel, all easily inspected. Below the raised saloon is a full-beam engine room providing excellent access to her 450hp main engine, the two generators and other electrical and hydraulic systems. For those wishing to compete, there is a comprehensive racing package that includes a square-top mainsail with running backstays; a double-length bowsprit with bobstay for fast reaching with powerful masthead gennakers and even the option to integrate a concealed anchor system.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Browse Categories

• Boat Supply
• Captains and Crew
• Catamarans and Multihull
• Destinations
• Harbours and Marina
• Luxury Chase Boats & Tenders
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Superyachts

Azimut Baglietto Benetti Dubai International Boat Show explorer feadship Ferretti Gulf Craft Hydro Tec Lürssen Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting Monaco Yacht Show 2023 Ocean ALexander Palumbo Superyachts Quick Sergio Cutolo Sunreef Yachts superyacht superyachts The international yachting media

You might be interested in

Sanlorenzo acquires the Nautor Swan Group

Ampermarine at Cannes 2024 with three extraordinary new products

Niel Steenkamp appointed as the new Sales Director of Ocean Alexander

M/Y ROYAL FALCON ONE: A Unique Investment Opportunity

© 2020 – THE INTERNATIONAL YACHTING MEDIA Designed by BLive Communication

Send your press release at: [email protected]

Subscribe For Latest Updates

Sign up to receive the best of superyachts news, world premieres and shipyards new models.

The only ADVERTISING FREE newsletter

The motor yachts by Nautor Swan

In January 2021 Nautor Swan, the celebrated Finnish luxury sailing yacht constructor, pushed once again its limits by entering the motor boat market with Swan Shadow.

Born from the passion that Leonardo Ferragamo has for the marine world, the Swan Shadow is broadening the range of vessels the Finnish yard offers to its customers, perfectly aligned with the core elements of its brand DNA: Performance, Quality, Elegance.

These core elements, and the values of design and innovation deeply rooted in Nautor’s heritage, are also at the base of the concept of Swan Shadow, destined to become a timeless icon.

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

DO NOT MISS THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF YACHTING

Visit your swan yacht at cannes yachting festival 2024.

Swan Shadow and Swan Arrow will be on display from September 10 th to 15 th

Sign Up Today

Start your 14 day free trial today

History Hit Story of England: Making of a Nation

The Fascinating History of Swan Lake: Tchaikovsky’s Greatest Ballet

01 Nov 2022

On 4 March 1877 a new ballet premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow –   Swan Lake. This was the first major ballet score composed by Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky, who would later go on to write and compose The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty .

The critics, however, were unmoved , and thus little did Tchaikovsky know then that Swan Lake would become the most widely known, timeless classical ballet, and one of the most popular ballets of all time.

There is actually no existing evidence of where the idea of the plot of Swan Lake came from, or what inspired its writer. The most accepted theory is that the content of the ballet is based on a Russian or German folktale.

Legend has it that in 1871 Tchaikovsky composed a children’s ballet-pantomime, The Lake of the Swan , for his young nephews and nieces. Some contemporaries of Tchaikovsky recalled the composer becoming fascinated by the life story of Bavarian King Ludwig II, who had supposedly been called ‘The Swan King’ and died under mysterious circumstances by drowning himself in a lake. This likely served as Tchaikovsky’s main inspiration for his lead character Odette, Prince Siegfried.

Ludwig II’s coronation portrait, 1865 (cropped). Image credit: Ferdinand von Piloty (1828-1895), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Credit: Ferdinand von Piloty (1828-1895), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Like many powerful love stories, the magical ballet of Swan Lake has a classic tragic love narrative, telling the story of the doomed love between Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette.

Out hunting one night, Prince Siegfried chases a group of swans – one of whom transforms into a young woman, Princess Odette, who explains that she and her companions were turned into swans by the evil Baron Von Rothbart (who is also Siegfried’s mentor). The curse can only be broken by a man who pledges his heart solely to Odette.

Fortunately, Prince Siegfried proclaims his love for Odette, promising eternal loyalty. At a grand palace reception, Siegfried must choose a bride but can only think of Odette. Rothbart tricks Siegfried into betraying Odette by making him think he is dancing with her when he is actually dancing with a mystery woman, Odile – Rothbart’s daughter. Unaware of this, Siegfriend professes his love for Odile, the deceptive Black Swan and asks for her hand in marriage. Odette witnesses the whole scene. Siegfried realises his mistake too late, and follows Odette to the lake to beg for her forgiveness.

Whilst Odette forgives Siegfried, she is crushed by the fact he broke his vow (and therefore can’t break the spell because of Siegfried’s earlier pledge to marry Odile). Death is the lovers’ only means of escape from Rothbart. They jump into the lake and drown, destroying the evil sorcerer’s powers. It is this act of love that breaks Rothbart’s spell, allowing Odette and Siegfried to unite in eternal love.

(This is the most recognised storyline, but there have been many variations on this, some with a happier ending).

A rough start

Tchaikovsky had often wanted to try his hand at this kind of music, and was commissioned to compose Swan Lake in 1875 by his friend Vladimir Petrovich Begichev , director of the Moscow Imperial Theatre. T hrough his study of composers such as Leo Delibes and Adolphe Adam, Tchaikovsky increasingly grew to appreciate and admire the music, and this enthusiasm resulted in him completing the ballet within just one year.

The Czech choreographer Julius Reisinger was appointed to craft the ballet. He and Tchaikovsky had a bumpy relationship, with both preferring to work independently rather than collaborate.

Swan Lake was first performed on March 4, 1877, at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre. The choreography was by Julius Wenzel Reinsinger, a German who was ballet master at the Bolshoi Theatre from 1871-1878.

Swan Lake’s premiere was seen as disastrous . Critics were universally disparaging, claiming the production was indistinctive and forgettable. They disliked the set and the choreography, thought the orchestra and dancers were subpar, and thought Tchaikovsky’s score was too complicated. The dancers who performed in the ballet’s premiere also declared Tchaikovsky’s music was too rich to accompany their balletic moves, and simply too difficult to dance to.

One of the issues for the premiere performance was the absence of the Bolshoi’s prima ballerina, Anna Sobeshchanskaya. Sobeshchanskaya rejoined the production as Odette/Odile in April 1877 but insisted on making certain changes to the choreography and score. Two years later the original choreographer, Julius Reisinger, left Moscow and was replaced by Belgian choreographer Joseph Pater Hansen. Hansen set about re-staging Swan Lake , launching his new version in January 1880. 

All 33 performances of the ballet between 1877-1883 sold out, attesting to the ballet’s increasing popularity amongst audiences.

Anna Sobeshchanskaya as Odette in Julius Reisinger’s original production of ‘Swan Lake’, Moscow, 1877

Image Credit: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A planned revival of the ballet in the early 1890s was cast into doubt by the death of Tchaikovsky in November 1893, who didn’t live to see the ultimate success of his ballet.

Tchaikovsky had written far more material than was ever required, and after his death, R iccardo Drigo took on the job of revising Tchaikovsky’s score, with the approval of his brother Modest Tchaikovsky. The revised and edited version – commonly the version of the score used today – is considerably shorter than the original, full-length work. It premiered on 15 January 1895 by the Maryinsky Ballet at the Maryinsky Theatre to overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Italian dancer Pierina Legnani performed the role of Odette/Odile, and was highly acclaimed for her technique in performing Odile’s 32 fouetté turns (very fast turns on a point).

Iconic choreography and technical challenges

Swan Lake has some of the most unique and iconic choreography in ballet history, and is known as one of the most demanding and iconic productions for a corps de ballet to dance.

The choreography is technically challenging – the corps de ballet need to move in complete unison to create the effect of a flock of swans. Whilst the dancers make it look effortless, a great deal of strength and stamina is required to perform the delicate movements, intricate formations and synchronised ripples, especially whilst en pointe . Indeed the undulating swan arms of the corps de ballet have become an iconic symbol of classical ballet.

Swan Lake represents the fight of good versus evil, depicted via two opposing swans – the vulnerable and delicate White Swan, and the seductive, deceptive Black Swan. Initially, the characters were performed by two different ballerinas, but this has evolved into the famous customary dual role with the White and Black swans danced by the same dancer, creating one of the most demanding roles a ballerina can perform. Portraying two contrasting characters in one performance along with exquisite dancing (including the ballet’s famous 32 fouetté turns) requires an exceptional dancer.

St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s ‘Swan Lake’, 2010

Image Credit: Vladimir Zenzinov, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The impact of Tchaikovsky’s score

Today, Tchaikovsky’s score is considered one of his most important works, and his inventive orchestrations are seen to have raised the standard for all future ballet scores. Tchaikovsky used leitmotifs (repeated sections of music associated with a particular character, idea or situation), which helped reinvent music in ballet to be an essential part of the dramatic narrative, rather than simply an accompaniment to the dancing.

Many interpretations of Swan Lake have been made – notably Frederick Ashton’s 1987 version (which saw the most revivals by the Royal Ballet), and indeed Matthew Bourne’s 2007 ground breaking all-male Swan Lake which was arguably the biggest shake-up to the ballet since the Mariinsky revival. In this version, it is the Prince who struggles against repression and hopes for liberty, and who needs love to make him safe.

Swan Lake is an elating journey across so many human states and emotions that almost everyone can relate to it and its key adage that love conquers all. It  is now the world’s most frequently performed ballet and continues to charm and enthral audiences worldwide.

You May Also Like

The Tale of Beatrix Potter: 10 Facts About The Iconic Illustrator & Children’s Author

Beyond Narnia: The Enduring Legacy of C.S. Lewis

Margaret J. Winkler: A Forgotten Pioneer in Disney’s Success

Audrey Hepburn: From War-Torn Childhood to Hollywood Icon

10 Facts About Harper Lee

How Did Barbie Become an Icon?

The Real Story Behind ‘In Cold Blood’: Truman Capote’s True Crime Masterpiece

The Life and Times of Truman Capote: 10 Facts About the Literary Icon

Fanny Mendelssohn: A Musical Prodigy and Forgotten Legacy

Anne Brontë: The Forgotten Sister Who Made a Mark on Victorian Literature

Why Was Charlie Chaplin Investigated by the FBI?

10 Facts About Mary Shelley: The Woman Behind Frankenstein

• Latest News

‘Gap Band IV’: The Gap Band’s Classic Funk Album

Songs about not being good enough, ‘who’s next’: the rock classic that freed the who from their shackles, stan getz starts a new wave on ‘big band bossa nova’, ‘no fences’: rediscovering garth brooks’ country record-breaker, ‘no reason to cry’: eric clapton calls on the band and bob dylan, alice coltrane: the legacy of a pioneering female jazz musician, new johnnie taylor collection ‘one step from the blues’ coming soon, alan jackson receives poet’s award at acm honors, rod stewart’s ‘merry christmas, baby’ coming to vinyl for the first time, toby keith tribute special airing wednesday on nbc, jelly roll announces new album, ‘beautifully broken’, ‘baker’s holiday,’ chet baker tribute to billie holiday, gets vinyl repress, noah kahan announces ‘stick season (live from fenway park)’, ‘swan lake’: masterpiece guide to tchaikovsky’s romantic ballet.

Read our guide to Tchaikovsky’s romantic masterpiece ‘Swan Lake’ – one of the greatest and most popular classical ballets.

Published on

Swan Lake is one of the most popular of all classical ballets, and the first of Tchaikovsky ’s three ballets (the others being The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker ) that opened a golden age of Russian ballet. It is a romantic ballet in four acts composed between 1875 and 1876 and first performed on 4 March 1877 at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre with choreography by Julius Reisinger. However, what is most usually seen today is a revised version of the score with choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov which premiered at St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre on 27 January 1895, two years after Tchaikovsky’s death.

Listen to our recommended recording of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake , featured on Tchaikovsky: Ballet Suites performed by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich, on Apple Music and Spotify .

Swan Lake : Masterpiece Guide To Tchaikovsky’s Romantic Ballet

For such a famous work the genesis of Swan Lake , the greatest of all romantic ballets, is surprisingly vague. Every summer, Tchaikovsky was in the habit of visiting the same three places and friends. It was in these locations that he wrote the Second and Third Symphonies, and Swan Lake . Family lore records that there was a house production of a ballet called The Lake Of Swans in the summer of 1871 which Tchaikovsky wrote for his nieces and nephews. It was performed at the country estate of Tchaikovsky’s sister Alexandra Davydova at Kamenka (in Ukraine). One informant claimed that the ‘swan theme’ familiar from the later ballet made its first appearance at this time; another claimed that the production had taken place in the summer of 1867.

There is also uncertainty about who provided the libretto for the ballet. Russian culture has always drawn heavily on fairy tales but the two or three often cited as possible sources for Swan Lake bear little resemblance to the story that is danced on stage. One theory has it that Reisinger provided the libretto, another says that it was Vladimir Begichev, director of the Moscow Imperial Theatres, in collaboration with the dancer Vasily Geltser. There is no literary source cited in the printed libretto.

Tchaikovsky studied the music of ‘specialist’ ballet composers

We do know, though, that it was Begichev who commissioned the score in May 1875 for a fee of 800 roubles. We also know that before setting to work, Tchaikovsky studied the music of ‘specialist’ ballet composers like Cesare Pugni (1802-70) and Ludwig Minkus (1826-1917) whose light, rhythmic, melodious but vapid works were in great demand. The two composers whose ballet music he most admired were French: Adolphe Adam and Leo Delibes. Adam’s 1844 Giselle , still one of the most celebrated in the repertoire, was Tchaikovsky’s favourite ballet. Adam uses leitmotifs – the technique that associates certain musical themes with particular characters and emotions, a device that Tchaikovsky adopted for Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty . As for Delibes, Tchaikovsky later wrote to his protégé the composer Sergei Taneyev that he “listened to the Delibes ballet Sylvia … what charm, what elegance, what wealth of melody, rhythm and harmony. I was ashamed, for if I had known of this music then, I would not have written Swan Lake .”

Between 18 July and mid-August 1875 Tchaikovsky finished his Third Symphony and wrote two acts of Swan Lake . The score was finally completed in April 1876. Unlike The Sleeping Beauty , composed more than a decade later, there was little communication about the details of the music between Tchaikovsky and the ballet master, Reisinger. Curiously, there is no record of Tchaikovsky’s involvement with the ballet during its rehearsal period through much of 1876, though he was living in Moscow at the time. Moreover, the score for Swan Lake allows the ballet master free rein to repeat or delete sections at will. No rehearsal material or performance score survives.

Principal Roles

The principal roles are: Odette (aka Queen Of The Swans and The White Swan), who has been transformed into a white swan by Rothbart Prince Siegfried, a handsome Prince who falls in love with Odette (Baron Von) Rothbart, an evil sorcerer, who has enchanted Odette Odile (The Black Swan), Rothbart’s daughter Benno (von Sommerstern), the Prince’s friend The Princess (aka Queen Mother), Prince Siegfried’s mother Wolfgang, his tutor

Though different productions present differing versions and interpretations of the story, the essential elements are constant:

Act 1 – A magnificent park before a palace

Prince Siegfried is celebrating his coming of age. Wine flows, Wolfgang flirts, everyone dances. The festivities are interrupted by The Princess who, worried at her son’s carefree lifestyle, announces that he must choose someone to marry by the following evening. The Princess departs, the celebrations resume, but Siegfried is, understandably, miserable at the thought of being unable to marry for love. Night falls. Benno tries to lift his friend’s mood and when Siegfried sees a flock of swans fly overhead, he suggests they go hunting them.

Act 2 – A lakeside clearing in a forest near a ruined chapel

Separated from his friends, Siegfried arrives in the clearing just as the swans fly overhead. He takes aim with his crossbow but freezes when one of them transforms into a beautiful maiden – it was the swan he was on the point of killing. She is Odette who explains that she and her companions are victims of a spell cast on them by the evil Rothbart whereby they are turned into swans during the day, only returning to human form at night by the enchanted lake. The spell can only be broken by someone who has never loved before and swears to love Odette forever. The swan maidens appear in the clearing. Siegfried breaks his crossbow and declares his eternal love for Odette. But dawn breaks and the spell turns her and her companions back into swans.

Act 3 – A magnificent ball at the palace

Guests arrive, six princesses are presented to Siegfried as candidates to be his bride. He chooses none. Then Rothbart enters with his daughter Odile whom he has transformed to look like Odette. Of course, Siegfried has eyes only for her, whereupon Odette appears and attempts to warn him of the trick, but he does not see her and announces that he will marry Odile. Rothbart gives Siegfried Odile’s hand and then shows him a magical vision of Odette. Realising his mistake, Siegfried flees grief-stricken to the lake.

Act 4 – At the lakeside

Odette, comforted by her swan maidens, is distraught. Siegfried arrives and begs her forgiveness. This she grants him but his betrayal means that the spell cannot now be undone. A storm arises. Rather than live forever as a swan, Odette chooses to die. Siegfried chooses to die with her and, falling into his arms, they vanish beneath the waters (or, in some productions, rise to the heavens in an apotheosis). Rothbart’s spell over the swan maidens is broken. He has lost all his evil powers and dies. The storm subsides, the moon comes out and a band of swans appear on the tranquil lake.

Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score of Swan Lake was revolutionary

Today, we take Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score of Swan Lake for granted but it was revolutionary in its time. There are 33 numbers in the complete ballet scored for a large symphony orchestra (five instruments more than the pit orchestra for Tristan Und Isolde , for example). No longer was the music a string of unrelated dance movements with no attempt to portray characters or events on stage, as was usual in the fare provided by the ‘specialist’ ballet composers. Apart from a full symphonic score, Tchaikovsky offered moments of magical orchestration too numerous to mention, and, with the sophisticated use of different tonalities, links the various elements of the narrative into a cohesive whole (using B minor for the Swans, for instance, F minor for Rothbart).

The premiere of Swan Lake was a fiasco

Yet with all this, the premiere of Swan Lake on Friday 4 March 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, was something of a fiasco. The conductor was incapable of doing justice to so complex a score, the scenery and choreography were second-rate and, to cap it all, the brilliant ballerina Anna Sobeshchanskaya, for whom the main role of Odette had been intended, was removed after a senior official in Moscow accused her of agreeing to marry him, taking all the jewels she received as gifts, selling them, and then running off with a fellow dancer. “The poverty of the production,” wrote Modest Tchaikovsky, the composer’s brother, “the absence of outstanding performers, the ballet master’s weakness of imagination, and, finally, the orchestra … all of this together permitted (Tchaikovsky) with good reason to cast the blame for the failure on others.’”

Nevertheless – and this is not often recorded- this production survived in the repertoire for six years and had 41 performances, more than many of the other ballets in the Bolshoi repertoire. But it was not until after Tchaikovsky’s death that Swan Lake achieved the success it deserved in a revised version of the score by Riccardo Drigo (1846-1930), the Italian composer, conductor and long-serving Director of Music of the Imperial Ballet of St Petersburg. Various changes to the libretto were made (see above) and the four acts became three (Act 2 became Act 1 scene 2). The new Swan Lake was given its premiere at St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre on Friday 27 January 1895 and was warmly received.

One final point. One of the most celebrated parts of the whole ballet was an afterthought of Tchaikovsky’s not included in the original production but danced in the revised version. Now, Act 3 features a Pas De Deux danced by Siegfried and Odile. It ends with the famous 32 Fouettés En Tournant . This, the graceful ‘Waltz’ from Act 1, and the delightful ‘Dance Of The Cygnets’ from Act 2, are the best-known musical highlights of this great score.

Our recommended recording of Swan Lake , featured on Tchaikovsky: Ballet Suites performed by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich, can be bought here .

February 23, 2020 at 1:15 am

Nice history of the music/score with attention to the embellishments, omission and changes that many, if not most orchestral pieces unto. The ballet “libretto” omits the same process with affects (or afflicts) the ballet itself. Subject.to much argument and change is the ending; variously, Odetter kills helself in despair, the Prince either joins her or follows after her, Odette or both either rise (To Heaven) or drown ( trust me, this is important) OR THE Prince rights/kills Rothbart and Odette liveSS, rising/rescued from the lake ( coming down from Heaven is a no-no) OR the power of their love defeats Rothbart, who dies. This causes furor among ballet lovers. Really. Stalin is blamed for the “happy”. ending, believe it or nor. Having seen more than 55 years of ballet and very very many Swan Lakes , I now vote for the happy endings. Ballet is full of horrible endings for the the lovers. It really doesn’t ruin the ballet! It’s a relief!

, they go off in bliss

March 5, 2020 at 12:00 am

This is a wonderful write-up! Thanks for the marvelous details.

Pedro Fernandez

March 19, 2021 at 8:43 pm

Hi! I’m a Cuban who has seen many “Lakes” in his life, always astonished by the beauty of the music and the power of the choreography. There was a ballerina known as Alicia Alonso, who made her version of the Lake with the happy ending and believe me, it was beautiful (and nice). But there was a more special version for the Chapultepec Lake in Mexico City -that was repeated in the Lenin’s Park Amphitheater in Havana (1983 or 1984 I think)- that was the most impressive performance I’ve seen.

July 1, 2023 at 7:29 pm

Thanks very much for the detailed explanation.

' . esc_html__( 'Leave a Reply', 'zox-news' ) . '

S W A N  L A K E

M U S I C: Petr Ilich Tchaikovsky V E R S I O N AND  D I R E C T I O  N:  Victor Smirnov-Golovanov C H O R E O G R A P H Y : Natalia Ryshenko, Victor Smirnov-Golovanov D E S I G N E R:  Natalia Povago C O S T U M E S:  Natalia Povago

RUNNING TIMES:  ACT 1: 70 minutes; ACT 2: 60 minutes;

A C T  O N E

It’s Prince Siegfried’s 21 st birthday.  Young people have gathered to celebrate the occasion including the Prince’s friend Benno, and his old tutor Wolfgang.  The festivities are spirited and there is much dancing and games.  In the midst of the activity, the Prince’s aunt arrives to remind her nephew that his coming of age is a serious affair – it is time for him to marry.   A Ball has been arranged for the following evening and there, from a group of prospective fiancées, he is to choose a bride.  

Siegfried is disconsolate at the thought of his carefree youth slipping away.  He has no desire to marry.   The day draws to a close and in an attempt to cheer his friend, Benno points to a flock of wild swans in flight and suggests a hunting expedition.  Deciding that life is still to be enjoyed Siegfried orders pursuit.  

A C T  T W O

The hunting party follows the swans thought the woods, reaching a clearing where they settle on a nearby lake.  Siegfried’s attention is suddenly attracted by a beautiful white swan, which is transformed into a lovely young maiden.  She is Odette, Queen of the Swans.  The evil sorcerer Von Rothbart holds her under his spell – by day she and her friends are and must remain swans, but between midnight and dawn they may resume their human form.   Only the pure love of a young man can remove the curse.  Astonished by her beauty and full of love for Odette, Siegfried’s love will destroy evil powers.  Von Rothbart suddenly appears in the form of an owl, beckoning menacingly to Odette.  As dawn breaks, the lovers bid farewell.  Odette returns to the lake, resuming her guise as a swan and Rothbart plots to make the Prince break his vow.

A C T  T H R E E

The entire court is assembled for Siegfried’s betrothal Ball, where the invited Princesses and their families eagerly await the decision of the Prince.  The Prince’s aunt indicates he is to choose a bride from the maidens present, but none pleases him.  The young Prince’s mind is still filled with images of the beautiful Odette. Mindful of his vow of Fidelity, he pays little attention to the eligible young women with whom he is presented.  Suddenly, a fanfare announces the arrival of two new guests.  It is Von Rothbart disguised as a nobleman with his daughter Odile.   

The Prince stands transfixed by her likeness to Odette and overwhelmed by the unexpected appearance of his true love, he asks her to dance.  Odile so bewitches the Prince that he asks for her hand in marriage.  Convinced he is with his beloved Odette, he declares his fidelity in front of all present.  Triumphantly, Von Rothbart and Odile reveal themselves.  The Prince realizes too late that he is a victim of their cruel treachery.  Odette has been betrayed and now can never be released from her enchantment.  In despair, the Prince runs to the lake to search for her.

A C T  F O U R 

The swan maidens are anxiously awaiting Odette’s return when she runs in and tells them in anguish of Siegfried’s betrayal.  The evil magician Rothbart has triumphed and there is no salvation for the swan maidens now.  A storm springs up on the lake.   The Prince comes running to the lakeside and begs Odette to forgive him, but Odette is destined to die.  The Prince fights and overcomes Von Rothbart, and at last the swan maidens are freed from the evil spell, and the souls of Siegfried and Odette are united in eternal happiness.

Even the best thing in the world can be improved, at least in parts. Taking advantage from our experience as well as listening to suggestions coming from our owners, captains and experts, we constantly and rigorously test every new Swan model, from launch through early life in order to improve our boats – keeping them updated in terms of technology, safety, comfort and changes in regulations. This passionate attention to improvement is one of the key reasons why Swan yachts are the most appreciated boats in the world. This process was obviously applied to our successful and beloved Swan 54.

The outstanding Swan 54 just got even better.

The architect

Germ á n frers.

This is the second generation of blue water cruising yachts, designed for Nautor. She has been refined in all departments and stands out in the crowd because of her design and the inherent quality of her construction. This is a sailing yacht, large enough for a group of six to cruise in comfort but small enough to be able to be sailed and maintained by her owners. This is the boat anybody like me, with a wealth of offshore racing experience and a taste for blue water cruising with family and friends, or young people looking to have the adventure of their lives, would dream to own and enjoy in all places of the world without limitations of any sort. She is graceful, elegant and good-looking, the freeboards and overhangs are well proportioned and will have timeless appeal.

Form and function are in complete harmony. Her hull lines are sweet and undistorted and she has an easy motion at sea, no pounding when powering upwind against a moderate chop. The prismatic coefficient was planned for above average all around speed over 8 knots. The waterplane area as a result of the relatively long waterline coupled with a high center of buoyancy contribute in great part to the form stability thus, the relatively low ballast to displacement ratio to enhance a good soft motion. Both appendage configurations will be moderately loaded while going upwind and never stall and there is plenty of steering control in all conditions. The deck is minimalistic in design and well married to the hull in appearance. Surfaces are clean and uncluttered facilitating sail handling and the movement of crew while sailing or at anchor. Her rig completes the equation, She will be a joy to sail.

The deck layout has been developed to meet two fundamental objectives: ensure comfortable sailing with limited crew and provide areas designed to best enjoy life onboard. The transom opens fully into a wide swim platform allowing direct access to the sea. The positioning of the mainsheet on the coachroof, rather than in the cockpit, allows the use of the wide bimini while sailing. The bimini, together with the sprayhood which is recessed and retractable, provides complete protection from the elements. The four standard electric winches in the cockpit, close to the helmsman, facilitate easy sailing with limited crew. The generous stowage volumes, including the sail locker in the bow and full lazarette in the stern area, enable all equipment, such as a RIB (inflatable), fenders and sails to be safely stowed yet remain easily accessible.

MODEL YEAR 2019

For Model Year 2019 we are pleased to present to you the latest features and improvements which have been implemented for deck gear, that is:

• Swimming ladder integrated into the transom with a dedicated opening, well designed and functional for swimming
• Engine throttle: new model, more premium feel and in line with the cruising purpose of the boat
• Re-designed anchor locker with more space for optional additional chain and a proper top inspection suitable to wash the chain
• New solution for chain access below deck, with preventer for water flow
• Added stainless steel hand hold on the upper part of the pedestals

The interior designer

Heini gustafsson.

Similar to the deck layout, the interior has been designed to ensure maximum comfort for long periods, both under sail and at anchor. This original configuration offers three double cabins, with the owner’s cabin forward and two guest cabins, one central and the other aft. There is also a fourth cabin dedicated to systems and storage, including the generator and washing machine, with the possibility to add a work table so as to convert it into a crew cabin. A configuration perfectly suited for extended bluewater cruising and lengthy stays aboard. The saloon has a ‘c’ shaped sofa, which is three metres long, with a central table and two stylish chairs.

While opposite, there is the chart table with a generous navigational station, with plenty of space for electronics. There is also the option of a foldaway table, allowing additional seating. The galley, one of the largest in this class of yacht, is three metres long, offers generous counter and storage space, along with the possibility of three refrigerators. Located in the most stable part of the boat and close to the companionway, one can cook comfortably even while underway. The use of natural oak throughout, combined with the quality finish and materials Swan is known for, creates a bright and refined interior

For Model Year 2019 we are pleased to present to you the latest features and improvements which have been implemented for interior functionality, those are:

• Aft guest cabin: floor in one level, without any step
• Port guest cabin amidship: increased width of the bed (not for opt centerboard keel solution)
• Enhanced access to engine with one single larger panel on port cabin
• Less intrusive door handles to enhance the space in the passages
• New Fusion stereo with remote bluetooth connection

Bluewater sailing is a concept that encompasses a world of open spaces, far horizons and long distance cruising: in this sense, the Swan 54 is a pure bluewater cruiser. She is conceived to be the perfect boat for extensive living on board, to enjoy the best cruising locations all over the World. The moderate displacement hull and high performance lead keel give the Swan 54 a particularly stable and smooth motion in a seaway. She is fast and powerful in all conditions, giving a feeling of complete safety at the same time. In addition, the high aspect ratio of the rudder provides impressive control, increasing the pleasure of helming. The contained freeboard and deep V hull, ensures smooth sailing in rough conditions and enhanced stability at anchor or when manouvering in windy conditions. Sailing on the Swan 54 is a pure joy: cockpit ergonomics and deck gear organisation are designed to always offer the most comfortable and well protected position, allowing the helmsman to control every trim with complete autonomy. If your favourite cruising area has shallow waters, the Swan 54 is also available with variable draught (1.40 to 3.70 metres), with an efficient daggerboard and twin rudders. Beautiful, fast, comfortable, laden with clever features and details to enjoy the sea and the environment, she is a yacht for life, to love and to be proud of.

SPECIFICATIONS

• RIG AND SAIL DIMENSIONS
• TANK CAPACITY

Photo Gallery

Explore the fleet

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Enter your email address to join us:

By subscribing, you confirm to have read and understood the  Privacy Policy  of Nautor Swan s.r.l. in accordance with the Article 13 of REGULATION (EU) 2016/679, and agree that your personal data are processed by Nautor Swan s.r.l. and its subsidiaries in compliance with its Privacy Policy.