The ballet La Sylphide is the creation of the Norwegian composer Herman Lowenskold. The plot of the play is fantastic.
Composer
Herman Severin von Leuvenskold, who created the ballet La Sylphide, was born in 1815 in Copenhagen. He was born into a noble family. His father served as a jägermeister at the court of the king. Mother was an amateur composer, composed the music that accompanied the king in hunting games when he was on their estate. At the age of 14, the future composer began to play music professionally. The ballet La Sylphide can be called his debut work. The production was very successful. The composer traveled a lot to improve his skills; he visited St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Italy for this purpose. Since 1841, he served at the Royal Theater and became the author of music for many performances, and also wrote several chamber ensembles, concert overtures, and so on. In 1851 he received the post of organist at the royal court.
Successful debut
The ballet La Sylphide is based on a novel of a fantastic nature, authored by writer Charles Nodier. The premiere of the performance took place in 1836 in Copenhagen. The choreographer of science fiction history - August Bournonville - became the first performer of the main male party. The author of the ballet for the ballet is A. Bournonville. The performer of the main women's party was Lucille Gran - a seventeen-year-old dancer. The Russian public saw the ballet in 1837.
Characters
The content of the ballet is revealed by such heroes:
Sylphide - the spirit of the air in the image of a young girl.
Anna is a widow, her husband was a farmer.
James is her son.
Gurn is his rival.
Effie is the bride of James.
Madge is a witch.
Nancy is Effie's girlfriend.
As well as peasants, sylphs, children, witches, old people, animals.
Plot
So, the ballet La Sylphide. The content of action 1 is as follows. On the stage is a Scottish castle. It was James and Effie's wedding day. Everyone is preparing for the celebration, the groom dozed off in an armchair. Beside him, La Sylphide appears - a beautiful winged girl. She kisses James on the forehead, which makes him wake up. He is fascinated by the air maiden and wants to catch her, but she flies away. Gurn is in love with Effie and, having learned that another has taken possession of the thoughts of her fiancé, is trying to get her lover's disposition, but she is all in dreams of marriage and does not pay attention to his courtship. James continues to dream about La Sylphide and does not notice his bride at all.
The sorceress Madge sneaks into the castle, she wants to warm herself by the fire. James does not like her presence and he tries to drive her away, but Effie persuades the groom to allow the old woman to stay and tell fortunes to the guests. He agrees, meanwhile Madge guesses Effie and predicts to her that she will marry Gourne. James is furious and showers threats with the sorceress, she curses him in response. The bride leaves James alone and leaves to put on the wedding attire. At this time, Sylphide again appears to the young man, she says that she loves him and that they should be together. Gurn tries to tell Effie that the groom no longer loves her, but she does not want to listen to anything. The wedding begins and La Sylphide appears at the celebration, she calls James with her, and, being unable to resist her charms, leaves the bride. Effie's heart is broken.
This does not end the ballet La Sylphide. The contents of 2 actions are read on. Forest Glade. The witch Madge wants to take revenge on James, in her magic cauldron she wove a scarf that will enchant anyone, and no one can resist his witchcraft power. La Sylphide brings James to his kingdom. The girl watered the young man with water, fed him berries, but never once allowed him to hug him, and when he tried to catch her, she slipped away from him. La Sylphide calls her sisters, and they entertain the young man with their dances.
Effie and her fiancé's friends set off in search of James, but were never able to find him. The old Madge is with them. Gurn makes an offer to Effie, the witch persuades the girl to accept him. James's bride becomes Gourne's bride, and everyone leaves the forest to get married. Madge finds James and gives him a magic scarf, saying that with his help he will be able to catch La Sylphide. The young man accepts the gift and, when his maiden of air appears, throws it on her shoulders. La Sylphide is really unable to resist the charms of the scarf; she lets James kiss herself. He embraces the girl and kisses. La Sylphide is dying. For the spirit of the air, his affection is deadly. James is in despair. In the distance, he sees a wedding procession and regrets that he left the bride. He comes to the realization that, chasing after that which is unattainable, he lost what he had.
Reviews
About the ballet La Sylphide you can find the following reviews:
- This is an excellent performance with a fabulous plot.
- The ballet is charming, its old style is impressive.
- The music of La Sylphide is tender and beautiful.
- The choreographic language of the performance is crisp and clear.
- This is a very beautiful ballet, which is very easy to read.
- The composer H. Leuvenskold and the choreographer A. Bournonville turned out to be a true masterpiece.