Les Sylphides is a romantic ballet choreographed by Michel Fokine, first performed in Paris in 1909. It is considered one of the first abstract ballets and is sometimes referred to as ‘the ballet of the veils’ due to its use of gauze-like fabric for costumes. The ballet has no story or narrative and instead conveys its mood through music, costume and movement.
The music for Les Sylphides was composed by Frederic Chopin and played live by an orchestra during the performance. The piece consists of several movements, each expressing different emotions and feelings.
The costume for the ballet is made up mostly of white gauze fabric, with some touches of black lace or silk. The dancers wear very little makeup and their hair is left loose.
When it comes to movement, Les Sylphides conveys its emotions through a combination of mime and pantomime, as well as classical ballet steps such as jumps, turns and lifts. Despite its abstract nature, there are certain motifs that appear throughout the ballet such as the use of circles and spirals to symbolise eternity and infinity.
The overall tone of Les Sylphides is one of dream-like romanticism; it evokes a sense of nostalgia for a lost past while also hinting at possibilities for the future. This romanticism is further enhanced by Fokine’s use of symbolism in both his choreography and costume design. Despite its lack of narrative, Les Sylphides manages to evoke a strong emotional response from audiences which is testament to Fokine’s skill as a choreographer.
Overall, it can be said that Les Sylphides is a romantic ballet in its aesthetic, music, costuming and choreography – all elements that come together to create an atmosphere of dream-like romance on stage. From its abstract nature to its use of symbolism, Les Sylphides succeeds in communicating emotion and creating an atmosphere that speaks directly to the heart.
Conclusion: Yes, Les Sylphides can be considered a Romantic Ballet due to its dreamlike atmosphere created through the combination of music, costuming and choreography which evoke strong emotions from audiences without relying on narrative or plot devices.