Movie spotlight
La Sylphide
Revisit a monument of ballet history: La Sylphide, in a production directed by Erik Bruhn following the legendary original choreography of August Bournonville! This veritable tragedy in dance tells the story of a young Scotsman who leaves his fiancée out of love for a sylph—a spirit of the air that he alone can see... The impeccable artists of the Australian Ballet, led by Leanne Stojmenov and Daniel Gaudiello, offer a dazzling interpretation of La Sylphide, set among the sumptuous sets by Anne Fraser which beautifully complement this romantic masterpiece, whose Paris premiere in 1832 is widely thought to mark the beginning of en pointe dancing by the incredible Marie Taglioni!
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in Scotland in the 19th century, La Sylphide tells the story of James, a young Scotsman engaged to Effie. On the eve of their wedding, James is enchanted by a magical sylph, a supernatural being who appears to him. Torn between his mortal love and his obsession with the ethereal sylph, James's life takes a tragic turn as he pursues an impossible, otherworldly love.
Critical Reception
This 2013 production of "La Sylphide" was generally well-received by critics and audiences, lauded for its faithful rendition of a classic ballet and the performances of its principal dancers. The production is praised for capturing the romantic and ethereal qualities of the original work while showcasing the technical prowess of the Paris Opera Ballet.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its historical accuracy and revival of a seminal ballet.
Applauded for the elegance and technical skill of the principal dancers.
The production successfully evokes the romantic and supernatural atmosphere of the story.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this particular 2013 recording is not readily available.
Fun Fact
La Sylphide is considered one of the oldest ballets in the classical repertoire, with its premiere dating back to 1832.
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