Ballet "The Sylphide". Libretto of ballet performances

The ballet "Sylphide" is the creation of the Norwegian composer Herman Leuvenkold. The plot of the play is fantastic.

Composer

Herman Severin von Leuvenkold, who created the ballet "Sylphide", was born in 1815 in Copenhagen. He was born into a noble family. His father served at the king's court as a jailmaster. My mother was an amateur composer, composing music, which accompanied the king in hunting games when he was at their estate. At the age of 14, the future composer began to study music professionally. The ballet "The Sylphide" can be called his debut work. The production was very successful. The composer traveled a lot to improve his skills, he visited for this purpose in St. Petersburg, in Vienna, in Italy. 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 "Sylphide" is based on a novel of a fantastic nature, authored by the writer Charles Nodier. The premiere of the play took place in 1836 in Copenhagen. The choreographer of the fantastic story - Augustus Bournonville - became the first performer of the main male party. The author of the libretto for ballet is A. Bournonville. Lucy Gran - seventeen-year-old dancer became the main female performer. The Russian public saw 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.

Gurne is his rival.

Effie is the bride of James.

Madge is a witch.

Nancy is Effie's girlfriend.

And also peasants, sylphs, children, witches, old men, beasts.

Plot

So, the ballet "Sylphide". The content of the action 1 is as follows. On the stage is a Scottish castle. The wedding day of James and Effie has come. Everyone prepares for the celebration, the groom dozed off in the armchair. Around him appears Sylphide - a beautiful winged girl. She kisses James on the forehead, why he wakes up. He is mesmerized by an air virgin and wants to catch her, but she flies away. Gurn is in love with Effy and, having learned that her husband's thoughts are taken by another, tries to achieve the beloved's location, but she is all in dreams of marriage and does not pay attention to his courtship. James continues to dream of the Sylphide and does not notice his bride at all.

The sorceress Madge walks 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 Effy persuades the groom to allow the old woman to stay and tell the guests. He agrees, meanwhile Madge guesses Effy and predicts to her that she will marry Gurn. James is furious and showering the witch with threats, she curses him in return. The bride leaves James alone and leaves to put on a wedding attire. At this time, the young man is once again Sylphide, she says that she loves him and that they should be together. Gurn tries to tell Effy that the groom no longer loves her, but she does not want to hear anything. The wedding begins and at the celebration appears Sylphide, she calls James with him, and he, unable to resist her charm, leaves the bride. The heart of Effy is broken.

This does not end the ballet "Sylphide". Contents 2 actions read further. Forest Glade. Sorceress Madge wants revenge for James, in her magic cauldron she wove a scarf that will enchant anyone, and no one can resist his sorcerous power. The sylphid leads James into his kingdom. The girl watered the young man with water, fed berries, but never allowed himself to embrace, and when he tried to catch her - eluded him. Sylphide calls his sisters, and they entertain the youth with their dances.

Effie and her fiance's friends went in search of James, but could not find him. With them, and old Madge. Gurn makes an offer to Effy, the witch persuades the girl to accept him. The bride of James becomes Gurn's bride, and everyone leaves the forest to play the wedding. Madge finds James and gives him a magic scarf, saying that with his help he can catch the Sylphide. A young man takes a present and, when his maiden of air appears, throws it on her shoulders. The sylphide really can not resist the charm of the scarf, it allows James to kiss himself. He concludes the girl in a hug and kisses. The sylphide is dying. For the spirit of the air, his caresses are deadly. James is in despair. In the distance, he sees a wedding procession and regrets that he left the bride. To him comes the realization that, chasing after what is unattainable, he lost what he had.

Reviews

About the ballet "Sylphide" reviews can be found the following:

• This is an excellent performance with a fairytale story.
• The ballet is charming, its ancient style is impressive.
• The music of "Sylphide" is tender and beautiful.
• The choreographic language of the production is clear and clear.
• It is a very beautiful ballet, which is very easy to perceive.
• The composer H.Levenskold and the ballet master A.Burnonville received a true masterpiece.