Iconic classical ballet productions such as Swan Lake, La Sylphide, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty are all the work of one choreographer: August Bournonville. It is arguable that La Sylphide is perhaps the most internationally famous representative of classical Danish ballet, created by Bournonville and paying homage to the distinct Danish style of classical ballet. The style was prolific, having engendered the ‘Bournonville school’ or ‘Bournonville ballet’.
Bournonville was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1805. He went on to dance with the famed Marie Taglioni and became a soloist with the Royal Danish Ballet, eventually serving as its balletmaster. He remained there until the end of his life, in 1879, having made 50 ballets for the company in the unique style he created from his studies in the Italian, French, and Danish schools.
Bournonville movement is characterised by the use of petit allegro (fast, intricate footwork with small jumps) rather than by big, virtuoso lifts or grand allegro. Bournonville believed that dancing should be understated, graceful, and light, epitomised by the lowered eyes of the Bournonville dancer, giving the overall appearance of graciousness. The dancer must be directly on top of the music, meaning there is very little rhythmic freedom to speed up or slow down movement. Despite this, Bournonville ballets remain expressive.
Today the Bournonville style is surrounded by the sky-high extensions and dazzling turns and jumps of other choreographic styles however the beauty and difficulty of the dances must not be underestimated. Bournonville’s ballets continue to be performed throughout the world and the Royal Danish Ballet upholds the Bournonville style as one of its proudest traditions. The style encompasses both high technical demands and an infectious celebration of life.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.