 The Dying Swan was first performed by Pavlova at a gala in the Noblemen 's Hall , St. Petersburg , Russia , on Friday , 22 December 1905 , and first performed in the United States at the Metropolitan Opera House , New York , on 18 March 1910 . American dance critic and photographer Carl Van Vechten noted that the ballet was " the most exquisite specimen of [ Pavlova 's ] art which she has yet given to the public . " Pavlova performed the role some 4 @,@ 000 times and , on her deathbed in The Hague , reportedly cried , " Prepare my swan costume . " 
