22 Dec-9 Jan 2005. Swan Lake is without a doubt one of the worlds most popular ballets and is a particular favourite of Covent Garden audiences. The production dates back to 1987, originally by Anthony Dowel with the classic choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, set of course to Tchaikovsky's world famous score. The set design is based on the Faberg style of Imperial Russia. The tale is that of Prince Siegfried who falls in love with Odette who is under the spell of the evil Von Rothbart. She is transformed into a swan by day but becomes a woman by night at the lakeside. Siegfrieds love could be the love that breaks the spell but he is tricked into revealing his love leaving the lovers no choice but to drown themselves and live together in death for all time.