I dug up an old LP of waltzes and found Swan Lake among them. I started telling my sister the history, which included a retiring ballerina, a ballet with one step, and the reason “Swan Lake” entered the vernacular as a final amazing last performance.
Then we went on YouTube to watch this ballet, and I found that it wasn’t a one-person ballet, there were many steps, and nothing I googled up could corroborate the story in my head.
So here’s my question:
Is “swan lake” an idiom for a last bow, and if so, where does it come from?
And if not, does anyone know the story of the ballerina and the one-step ballet, or did I dream it up?
Thanks,
Howlleo
I believe the solo ballet you’re thinking of is “The Dying Swan”, which is associated with famous ballerina Anna Pavlova. According to the Wiki article another ballerina, Maya Plisetskaya performed it on her 70th birthday, which must have been her final performance.
Also I think the term you’re thinking of is “swan song”, based on an old legend that Mute Swans remain silent until the moment of their death, and then sing a final, beautiful song.
I’ve never heard of a “one-step” ballet, I’m not sure how that would work.
That must be it… thanks. I was about eight when I heard the story, so all those swans must have gotten mixed up in my head.
…however, after watching The Dying Swan on YouTube, I think it’s clear that, if it isn’t a one-step performance, it’s certainly close.
Just curious . . . what do you mean by a “one-step” ballet? A ballet with only one dancer? One scene? There is a dance step called “one-step,” but it has nothing to do with ballet.
If you look at the video, there’s about zero variety in her leg movements. She does one step. Or pretty close.