LA SYLPHIDE
Video 1 (currently displayed video)
Act 1. 8 second 'taster clip (clip - remote only)
Video 2
Act 2. 8 second 'taster' clip (clip - remote only)
Please read Understanding catalogue records for help interpreting this information and Using footage for more information about accessing this film.
Title: LA SYLPHIDE
Reference number: 11296
Date: 1979c
Sound: sound
Original format: U-Matic
Colour: bw
Fiction: fiction
Running time: 72.42 mins
Description:
A recording of La Sylphide performed by Scottish Ballet at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh in 1979.
La Sylphide was one of the first great romantic ballets and set the style of a trend which dominated ballet for almost 100 years. Scottish Ballet’s production was restaged by the world’s foremost authority on Bournonville’s ballets, Hanns Brenaa, of the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen.
The story is set in Scotland where James, on the eve of his wedding, is dreaming of the Sylphide, a spirit of the forest. He awakes to find his dream a reality and the ballet unfolds in a strongly dramatic plot, which moves through spirited highland reels and moonlit glades peopled by sylphs and witches, to a final tragic ending. (Leaflet for La Sylphide, 1974, Scottish Theatre Archive, STA SB 8/23c)
Following the performance, the tape cuts to rehearsal footage from the theatre. The staff rehearse the final scene of the ballet and then rehearse the curtain call. Commentary and directions are heard from Peter Darrell.
See also ref 10919 for 1974 recording.
See also ref. 11342 for a rehearsal recording from what looks like this Kings Theatre production of La Sylphide.
The Scottish Theatre Archive contains material relating to this production, including: La sylphide. King's Theatre, Edinburgh, 1974 November 12-16. Programme. Call number: STA SB 8/25b
La Sylphide. New Theatre, Hull, 1974 October. Leaflet. Call number: STA SB 8/23c
Please note this is a copy of the raw capture of the original analogue video for preservation and as such may display defects such as dropout, washed out colour and sound fluctuation.
Credits:
[Music: Herman Lovenskjold
Choreography: August Bournonville
Scenario: Adolphe Nourrit
Design: Peter Cazalet
Lighting Molly Friedel
The Sylph is danced by Sally Collard-Gentle
Madge is danced by Gordon Aitken]
Shotlist:
Act One – James’ Farmhouse (00.06-32.09)
James is asleep by the fire dreaming of a sylph, a spirit of the forest he has seen in the glen. He awakens to see his vision before him but when he pursues the spirit she always evades him. Gurn, manager of the family farm, also loves Effie but she has eyes only for James
Presently friends and neighbours arrive bringing gifts for the young couple. Madge, a witch, enters and James wishes to drive her from the house but Effie persuades him to let the old woman remain to tell fortunes. When Madge foretells that Effie will never be happy with James but only with Gurn, James forces her from the house, and she vows revenge. The Sylph reappears. Visible to Gurn and James alone – she declares her love for the latter but continues to remain elusive. Finally snatching the wedding ring intended for Effie, she flies to the forest with James in pursuit
Act Two – A Glen (00:26-31:30)
Scene I – Just before dawn, Madge and her coven are preparing a magic potion with which to impregnate a scarf that will bring about James’ downfall
Scene II – Day breaks and the sylphs of the forest begin their dance in which they are joined by James still in pursuit of the Sylph
Meanwhile the search for him has continued throughout the night. At last Gurn discovers his cousin’s hat but Madge persuades him not to reveal this but instead to urge the others to abandon the search. Madge on his behalf presses his suit for Effie. The witch now turns her attention to James leading him to believe that if he entwines her magic scarf around the Sylph’s shoulders that elusive sprit will be his forever. James places the scarf around the Sylph. Her wings fall off and she dies and is carried away by her sisters. James collapses and Madge exults over his body.
(Synopsis from STA SB 8/25b)
Curtain call: 31:44-33:48
Rehearsal footage: 33:59-39:35