The opera is based on Alexander Pushkin's 1831 eponymous tale in verse. The opera was staged in Moscow to commemorate Pushkin's centenary (1900). Russian artist Mikhail Vrubel designed the decor and costumes for this opera. for the opera. His wife Nadezhda Zabela-Vrubel performed as Swan-Princess in this production. She is represented in this role in Vrubel's painting (fig. 1). Some commentators argue that Vrubel depicted not his wife but his unknown lover.
One of memorable performances of the opera happened on September 14th, 1911. During this performance in Kyiv Opera House, a leftist terrorist Dmitrii Bogrov assassinated Russian Prime Minister Petr Stolypin.