La Sylphide - The Royal Danish Ballet
La Sylphide - The Royal Danish Ballet

Movie spotlight

La Sylphide - The Royal Danish Ballet

1988
Movie
62 min
English

Lis Jepessen dances the lead role of La Sylphide -- a beautiful forest sprite who entrances Scottish farmer James (Nikolaj Hubbe) with her radiance -- in this memorable stage adaptation of August Bournonville's most enduring work, a piece he created for the Royal Danish Ballet in 1836. Sorella Englund co-stars as Madge, a vengeful witch and fortune-teller who, after being spurned by James, resolves to destroy his future.

Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Director: John NeumeierGenres: Ballet, Romance, Fantasy

Plot Summary

La Sylphide tells the story of James, a young Scotsman, who is engaged to Effy. On the eve of his wedding, James becomes bewitched by a beautiful sylph, a supernatural air spirit, named Sylphide. He abandons his earthly bride for this ethereal creature, pursuing her into the realm of the sylphs, a journey that ultimately leads to heartbreak and tragedy as he discovers the ephemeral nature of his love.

Critical Reception

This 1988 production of August Bournonville's iconic ballet, 'La Sylphide,' as performed by the Royal Danish Ballet and directed by John Neumeier, is widely praised for its faithful rendition of the original choreography and its stunning visual presentation. Critics lauded the principal dancers for their technical prowess and emotional depth, capturing the delicate balance between romantic fantasy and human frailty. The production is considered a definitive interpretation of one of ballet's most cherished classics.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its beautiful and faithful reproduction of Bournonville's original choreography.

  • The lead dancers were commended for their expressive performances and technical skill.

  • Recognized as a quintessential production of a classic ballet.

Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this particular 1988 ballet performance is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The role of Madge the witch in 'La Sylphide' is one of the most challenging dramatic roles for a ballerina, requiring a blend of character acting and specific dance technique to portray her sinister and manipulative nature.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review