La Sylphide Synopsis
La Sylphide changed the world of ballet when it introduced the
The Romantics, a generation of young artists that revolutionized
art with its distaste for reality and love of illusion. First
performed in 1832 to the music of Jean Schneitzhoeffer and choreographed
by Phillipe Taglioni, it was revised in Denmark in 1836 to the
music of Hermann Lovenskjold with the choreography of Auguste
Bournonville. While there have been subsequent versions since
then, Bournonville's remains the oldest and most popular of his
ballets performed today. I have added some non traditional choreography
to the first act to supplement the role of Effie's bridesmaids
and to highlight James'conflicted conscience within a dream scene.
However, the inspiring and sweet music of Lovenskjold and the
challenging choreography of Bournonville remain in their original
form.
~ Claudia Rudolph Barrett
Act I
The ballet takes place in an old Scottish Farmhouse around 1830.
James is dreaming of his wedding, when an ethereal sylph awakens
him with a kiss. As suddenly as she had appeared, the sylph disappears.
James' friend, Gurn, awakens to witness James' strange behavior
but shrugs it off, knowing his friend's dreamy character. Gurn
too is in love with Effie and tries unsuccessfully to gain her
attention. As the Wedding Day Festivities begin, a witch (Madge)
appears. James tries to throw Madge out of his home, but Effie
pleads with him to allow her to stay, asking that she tell everyone's
fortune. One by one, Effie’s friends learn their fate. Effie is
told she will marry, but is shocked to hear it will not be to
James. Gurn, told that he will be the lucky one, rushes in joy
to Effie. James angrily pushes him away and sends Madge out of
his house. Effie tells James not to take Madge's predictions so
seriously and leaves to prepare for their wedding. After everyone
has left, James ponders the reality of his vision of the Sylph,
when she appears again. James tries not to look at her but cannot
resist the beautiful, mysterious creature. Gurn sees James chasing
after something.and fetches Effie and her mother to reveal James'
infidelity. But the Sylph is not revealed. As the wedding festivities
continue, James finds himself torn between the beautiful Sylph
and Effie. Reality returns when his mother invites all the guests
dance a reel. As they gather to prepare to toast the bride and
groom, James suddenly finds himself confronted again by the winsome
Sylph. She takes his ring and lures him to follow her into the
forest. When the guests turn to toast to James, he is gone. Gurn
runs outside to see if he can find a trace of James and returns
to say he has seen him following a flying creature. Effie realizes
that Madge's prediction has come true as she collapses in a chair
surrounded by her friends.
Act II
Madge concocts a magical scheme and runs to hide as James comes
running through the forest searching for the Sylph. James swears
his love for her. She then calls forth the other sylphs to dance
for James. He joins them and, now truly enamored with her, pursues
the Sylph with spirited leaps and jumps, following her deeper
into the forest. Gurn is looking for James when he encounters
Madge. She convinces him that he should ask the searching Effie
to marry him. He does so and Effie reluctantly agrees. They leave
to prepare for their wedding. James returns without the Sylph
and begs Madge to give him the scarf so he can catch her. The
Sylph returns and wants to have the beautiful scarf. James finally
captures her with the scarf and watches in horror as she dies.
Suddenly James hears bagpipes. He hides while watching Effies'
wedding party. He now realizes that he has lost everything. Madge
cackles and believes she will now have James to herself; however,
James dies of a broken heart and Madge is left to ponder her fate
alone!
