Question

Swan Song the final, farewell performance of an actor or singer; one's last words or actions

Accepted Answer

We are going to the opera to hear Madame Scotto's swan song. In the myths of ancient Greece and in some poetry by William Shakespeare, you will find references to a swan that is mute or almost totally silent all its life, but that sings a lovely, sweet song just before it dies. In real life it doesn't happen that way (swans make sounds all their lives), but the story is nice and people enjoy it. Today, a performer's final appearance, an artist's last work, a scientist's last discovery, or an athlete's last game is often called a "swan song."

Idiom	Swan Song
Example	We are going to the opera to hear Madame Scotto's swan song.
Meaning	the final, farewell performance of an actor or singer; one's last words or actions
Origin	In the myths of ancient Greece and in some poetry by William Shakespeare, you will find references to a swan that is mute or almost totally silent all its life, but that sings a lovely, sweet song just before it dies. In real life it doesn't happen that way (swans make sounds all their lives), but the story is nice and people enjoy it. Today, a performer's final appearance, an artist's last work, a scientist's last discovery, or an athlete's last game is often called a "swan song."

Swan Song Opera Hear Madame Scotto's Final Farewell