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Statuary coming to life
1. 2. 3. 4.

Giselle, La Sylphide and similar Romantic Ballets

The dead often danced in the French Romantic ballet of the 1830s and 1840s. Willies, sylphs and their prey were depicted in 19th century lithographs and albums as enchanted beings able to dance in the air. Two such ballets have maintained their popularity into the 21st century -- Giselle and La Sylphide.


La Sylphide (choreography: Filippo Taglioni, music: Jean-Madeleine Schneitzhoeffer, libretto: Adolphe Nourrit)
Lithograph of Marie Taglioni by A. Chalon
London: J. Mitchell and Paris: Chez Rittner & Goupil, 1836
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
     
Charles Heath
Beauties of the Opera and Ballet (front cover)
London: David Brogue, 1845
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
     






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