Ballet activity grew during the 18th century throughout Europe, but the Paris Opéra remained the capital of the ballet world. Ballerina Marie Camargo introduced the entrechat for women, shortened her dress to mid-calf, wore tights, and shoes without heels. Her rival, Marie Sallé wore free-flowing muslin garments with her hair loose, and was the first woman choreographer.
By the 19th century, the classical themes of mythology were replaced by tales of fantasy and romantic fold legends. The ballet blanc (a ballet containing more dance that pantomime, in which the women wear ong white costumes) became famous with the creation of "La Sylphide" and the dancing of ballerina Marie Taglionli. Her muslin costume was as light and delicate as the fairy creature she portrayed. The costume design became standard, no matter what colour, remaining as the romantic tutu to this day. A new technique was created when Taglionli danced en pointe for the first time.
The Romantic Age had begun. In the past, choreography, usually created for a special function, was forgotten as soon as it was performed. Dancers such as Taglionli performed a role many times. In this way, a ballet became popular and was preserved. The dancers taught their roles to favourite pupils so that ballets like "La Sylphide" lived on.
The Story
"La Sylphide," subtitled the "Sylph of the
Highlands," is about a Scotsman, James, who is about to be
married by Effie. As he dozes before the fireplace, he dreams
of a lovely creature. He awakens to find a sylphide
(a spirit of the air) at his feet. She dances for James, but
is frightened when he reaches for her and she rushes up the
chimney.
James's friend Gurn is disconsolate because he loves Effie and will soon lose her to James; however, James becomes enchanted with the sylphide who returns many times during the wedding preperations. Effie is concerned about James but does not believe Gurn's story of James's interest in another woman. The sylphide returns during the wedding ceremony and snatches the ring just as James is about to put it on Effie's finger. James turns away from his bride to follow the sylphide who has said she will die if he marries someone else.
James enters the forest and is confronted by the village sorceress, who gives him a magiv scarf, promising it will remove the sylphide's wings so that she will belong to James forever. The sylphide approaches, and he drapes the scarf over her shoulders. She clutches at her heart in mortal agony as her wings fall to the ground. She dies and is carried away by her winged sisters. James falls to the ground, weeping, and the old witch exults in triumph. Gurn and Effie's wedding procession passes in the distance to the sound of chuch bells.