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La Sylphide

Presented by Ballet Austin at The Long Center for the Performing Arts

February 11-February 13, 2011

Avg. Event Rating (4.8 Stars):
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One of the oldest romantic ballets, La Sylphide is a story about the insatiable human desire to find true love. When a forest fairy uses her magical gifts to attract a young Scotsman on the eve of his nuptials, the story unravels in a forest of uncertainty about whether love or
longing is worthy of self-sacrifce.

 

 

 

 

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  • Venue Info

    The Long Center for the Performing Arts

    701 West Riverside Drive
    Austin, TX 78704

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    TBA

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  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    February 11-February 13, 2011

    Times:
    

    8pm | Feb 11, 12
    3pm | Feb 13
     

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  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "La Sylphide shines"
      Review posted by: Jesse Griffith from Austin, TX, Feb 14, 2011
      

      As a former professional dancer, I'm a bit more critical than others. This ballet was beautiful and had all the trappings of a classical, romantic ballet. Good choreography and fantastic sets and... Expand

      As a former professional dancer, I'm a bit more critical than others. This ballet was beautiful and had all the trappings of a classical, romantic ballet. Good choreography and fantastic sets and costumes. Live music instead of canned, and of course wonderful dancers. It was just the right length, and the acting was marvelous. So many dance companies ignore acting at their own peril in my opinion. This type of pantomime is very difficult, and it was delivered perfectly. The production was absolutely enchanting! Collapse

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "Magical"
      Review posted by: Liz from Austin, TX, Feb 13, 2011
      

      If I had to choose one word to describe the ballet La Sylphide, that word would be "magical". At some operas and ballets I've found myself slightly bored. Not with La Sylphide. From the moment the... Expand

      If I had to choose one word to describe the ballet La Sylphide, that word would be "magical". At some operas and ballets I've found myself slightly bored. Not with La Sylphide. From the moment the curtain raised at the beginning to when it fell at the end, I was captivated. I'm not going to describe the story except to say it is a tragedy, and I've always loved a good tragedy. The dancing was amazing, totally professional. The sets were amazing, especially the forest scene. The costumes were amazing, absolutely gorgeous. I loved the performance of La Sylphide and would highly recommend this ballet. And it's always a pleasure going to the Long Arts Center. Collapse

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "A beautiful, enchanting story..."
      Review posted by: Lindsey S. from Austin, TX, Feb 13, 2011
      

      This was my first time at the ballet, and I have to say, I certainly wasn't disappointed. La Sylphide is a charming, exciting story and the sets, costumes and choreography fell nothing short of... Expand

      This was my first time at the ballet, and I have to say, I certainly wasn't disappointed. La Sylphide is a charming, exciting story and the sets, costumes and choreography fell nothing short of enhancing this lovely tale. The lead characters of the boy, his best friend, the fairy and the witch were incredibly strong not just as dancers, but as actors. It was a joy to watch all four of them. Though the first act was very strong, the second act was absolutely breathtaking--from the witches magical encantations which filled the stage with smoke to the lighting of the forest and the fairy's finale. It was a spectacle certainly worth seeing. I loved it! Collapse

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "Absolutely Breathtaking!"
      Review posted by: Lassie from Austin, TX, Feb 12, 2011
      

      As I former Scottish dancer, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Ballet Austin’s La Sylphide. I was not disappointed as I was able to see so many of the dance steps and movements from... Expand

      As I former Scottish dancer, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Ballet Austin’s La Sylphide. I was not disappointed as I was able to see so many of the dance steps and movements from traditional Scottish Country and Highland dancing within the choreography, but then, ballet is where Scottish Country dancing got it’s start. BA’s production of this ballet is so beautiful and emotional: from principals’ Ara Krumpe’s delicate and ethereal portrayal of the Sylph (so much stamina needed for this part!) and Frank Shott’s interpretation of the Scotsman who wanted the elusive (yet ends up a broken man) to the stunning lighting by Tony Tucci and set design and costumes provided by Boston Ballet. Act II, set in the forest, draws us in as we watch the consequences of previous actions unfold. With the witches and the dancing of the sylphs, to the wedding and grande finale – our emotions run the gamut of breathless to heartbroken. What does the final scene reveal? Come and discover! Collapse

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "The Essence of Romanticism"
      Review posted by: Zelda Austen from Austin, Tx., Feb 11, 2011
      

      I had seen and loved George Balanchine's "Bournonville Ballets" a long time ago, but had never seen an actual ballet by the choreographer August Bounonville of the Royal Danish Ballet in the... Expand

      I had seen and loved George Balanchine's "Bournonville Ballets" a long time ago, but had never seen an actual ballet by the choreographer August Bounonville of the Royal Danish Ballet in the 1830-1870 period. "La Sylphide" is his most famous and we are lucky to have it performed in Austin this Valentine weekend. The Bournonville style is one of lightness, elegance, charm and delight. The company is exquisite, the principle dancers strong and perfect, and the Scottish setting, costumes, and Scottish reels elevated to ballet level are superb. Peter Bay conducted the orchestra and the audience was rapt. The story is a sad one, of a young man enchanted by a sylph, a wood-sprite, so much that he abandons his bride-to-be to his rival and seeks her in the forest, where, trying to bind her to him, he causes her death. The castle scene is a happy wedding party, the woodland scene is mysterious, with witches and magic. This is pure classic ballet preserved in its original form. Collapse

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    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "La Sylphide shines"
      Review posted by: Jesse Griffith from Austin, TX, Feb 14, 2011
      

      As a former professional dancer, I'm a bit more critical than others. This ballet was beautiful and had all the trappings of a classical, romantic ballet. Good choreography and fantastic sets and... Expand

      As a former professional dancer, I'm a bit more critical than others. This ballet was beautiful and had all the trappings of a classical, romantic ballet. Good choreography and fantastic sets and costumes. Live music instead of canned, and of course wonderful dancers. It was just the right length, and the acting was marvelous. So many dance companies ignore acting at their own peril in my opinion. This type of pantomime is very difficult, and it was delivered perfectly. The production was absolutely enchanting! Collapse

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "Magical"
      Review posted by: Liz from Austin, TX, Feb 13, 2011
      

      If I had to choose one word to describe the ballet La Sylphide, that word would be "magical". At some operas and ballets I've found myself slightly bored. Not with La Sylphide. From the moment the... Expand

      If I had to choose one word to describe the ballet La Sylphide, that word would be "magical". At some operas and ballets I've found myself slightly bored. Not with La Sylphide. From the moment the curtain raised at the beginning to when it fell at the end, I was captivated. I'm not going to describe the story except to say it is a tragedy, and I've always loved a good tragedy. The dancing was amazing, totally professional. The sets were amazing, especially the forest scene. The costumes were amazing, absolutely gorgeous. I loved the performance of La Sylphide and would highly recommend this ballet. And it's always a pleasure going to the Long Arts Center. Collapse

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "A beautiful, enchanting story..."
      Review posted by: Lindsey S. from Austin, TX, Feb 13, 2011
      

      This was my first time at the ballet, and I have to say, I certainly wasn't disappointed. La Sylphide is a charming, exciting story and the sets, costumes and choreography fell nothing short of... Expand

      This was my first time at the ballet, and I have to say, I certainly wasn't disappointed. La Sylphide is a charming, exciting story and the sets, costumes and choreography fell nothing short of enhancing this lovely tale. The lead characters of the boy, his best friend, the fairy and the witch were incredibly strong not just as dancers, but as actors. It was a joy to watch all four of them. Though the first act was very strong, the second act was absolutely breathtaking--from the witches magical encantations which filled the stage with smoke to the lighting of the forest and the fairy's finale. It was a spectacle certainly worth seeing. I loved it! Collapse

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "Absolutely Breathtaking!"
      Review posted by: Lassie from Austin, TX, Feb 12, 2011
      

      As I former Scottish dancer, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Ballet Austin’s La Sylphide. I was not disappointed as I was able to see so many of the dance steps and movements from... Expand

      As I former Scottish dancer, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Ballet Austin’s La Sylphide. I was not disappointed as I was able to see so many of the dance steps and movements from traditional Scottish Country and Highland dancing within the choreography, but then, ballet is where Scottish Country dancing got it’s start. BA’s production of this ballet is so beautiful and emotional: from principals’ Ara Krumpe’s delicate and ethereal portrayal of the Sylph (so much stamina needed for this part!) and Frank Shott’s interpretation of the Scotsman who wanted the elusive (yet ends up a broken man) to the stunning lighting by Tony Tucci and set design and costumes provided by Boston Ballet. Act II, set in the forest, draws us in as we watch the consequences of previous actions unfold. With the witches and the dancing of the sylphs, to the wedding and grande finale – our emotions run the gamut of breathless to heartbroken. What does the final scene reveal? Come and discover! Collapse

    • Event Name: La Sylphide
      "The Essence of Romanticism"
      Review posted by: Zelda Austen from Austin, Tx., Feb 11, 2011
      

      I had seen and loved George Balanchine's "Bournonville Ballets" a long time ago, but had never seen an actual ballet by the choreographer August Bounonville of the Royal Danish Ballet in the... Expand

      I had seen and loved George Balanchine's "Bournonville Ballets" a long time ago, but had never seen an actual ballet by the choreographer August Bounonville of the Royal Danish Ballet in the 1830-1870 period. "La Sylphide" is his most famous and we are lucky to have it performed in Austin this Valentine weekend. The Bournonville style is one of lightness, elegance, charm and delight. The company is exquisite, the principle dancers strong and perfect, and the Scottish setting, costumes, and Scottish reels elevated to ballet level are superb. Peter Bay conducted the orchestra and the audience was rapt. The story is a sad one, of a young man enchanted by a sylph, a wood-sprite, so much that he abandons his bride-to-be to his rival and seeks her in the forest, where, trying to bind her to him, he causes her death. The castle scene is a happy wedding party, the woodland scene is mysterious, with witches and magic. This is pure classic ballet preserved in its original form. Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.