Dance is a conversation of movement. When watching the placement of hands, wrists, legs and feet in ballet, each placement is defined with grace and magnificent position. Each dancer must breath in and reflect the next, timely mimicking each other; flowering out as if a new budding blossom.

Artists of Colorado Ballet in La Sylphide Act II - by Mike WatsonThe story of beauty begins on Wednesday, September 23rd as I attended an hour of rehearsal, which was only a fraction of the Colorado Ballet dancers rehearsal schedule. Nearly 20 dancers were gathered in a large dance room. They rehearsed and prepared for a portion of Act II of the season opener of the Colorado Ballet’s La Sylphide. It is a magical awakening to watch as some dancers are called to the front as the music is cued while others remain on the floor; staying limber and their muscles warm as they stretch and prepare for their opportunity to be called to the tape lines.

What looks to be effortless is the true craftsmanship of confidence in each dancers face. All their weeks and months of hard work, commitment and preparation over the years has now led them to opening night.

Artists of Colorado Ballet in La Sylphide Act I - by Mike Watson

Artists of Colorado Ballet in La Sylphide Act I – photo by Mike Watson

La Sylphide is a charming story of love. “It is James’ wedding day. The young Scotsman is sleeping in his chair and an enchanting creature – a sylph – is kneeling at his feet and gazing at him lovingly. She dances around him and finally kisses him. James wakes up and instantly sees the wood nymph he has just been dreaming of standing right before his eyes. He tries to catch her, but she eludes him and vanishes into the fireplace. Perplexed, he sinks back into his chair.”*

Act I - Maria Mosina and Alexei Tyukov photo by Mike Watson

Act I – Maria Mosina and Alexei Tyukov photo by Mike Watson

Alexei Tyukov is James, Maria Mosina is the wood nymph. There is true delight and magic that each brings to their role. You believe in the love that unfolds in front of you. The prelude prepares you for a dynamic, happy but also suspenseful storyline. The last time the Colorado Ballet performed La Sylphide was in 1996. “I wanted to present it this season,” states Gil Boggs, the Artistic Director “because it is one of the most beautiful, romantic ballets of all time. The ballet demonstrates temptation and loving something you cannot have.”*

Act I James and his fiancée, Effy struggle with their relationship, James cannot stop thinking about the sylph. Effy notices that James is distracted and “declares that he was not thinking of her, but James consoles her by avowing his love for her.”*

Gregory Gonzales in La Sylphide by Mike Watson

Gregory Gonzales as Madge the Witch – La Sylphide – photo by Mike Watson

Act II takes the characters deep into the dark forest where promises are made and passion is tested and poison is prepared. La Sylphide features choreography by August Bournonville and music by Herman Severin Lovenskiold, performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. “Bournoville choreographed La Sylphide in 1836, making it one of the oldest surviving ballets.”*

It takes everyone to make a ballet performance successful. From set design, which is exquisite, to the language of the music that is clearly seen in the dance and faces of the performers and the magical moment of continuity.

Maria Mosina & Alexei Tyukov in La Sylphide Act II - Photo by Mike Watson

Maria Mosina & Alexei Tyukov in La Sylphide Act II – Photo by Mike Watson

With this role Maria Mosina celebrates her 20th season with the Colorado Ballet. “I’m so fortunate to have a job that fulfills and inspires me. I get pleasure from dancing. I was born to give people happiness on the stage and I still love what I am doing. I would like to dedicate my 20th season to all the teachers, mentors, coaches, choreographers, partners on stage and my family and friends who helped me to get where I am today. I believe that ballet is not just about the number of pirouettes you can do or how high you can kick your leg; ballet is an art and there is no age limit to express yourself.”

 

 

The remaining performances of La Sylphide are as follows:
Friday, October 9 – 7:30p.m.; Saturday, October 10 – 7:30p.m.; Sunday, October 11 – 2p.m. – This is a Must Attend Performance

The Colorado Ballet offers a perfect opportunity to reaquaint yourself with the finest of culture that Colorado has to offer. The 2015-2016 season “promises to offer something for everyone, starting with the romantic masterpiece LaSylphide, to family-friendly productions The Nutcracker and Alice (in Wonderland), and the innovative variety of contemporary works in Ballet Director’s Choice.”*

Please visit www.ColoradoBallet.org to learn more about the 2015-2016 season, you won’t be disappointed. Learn more about what the Colorado Ballet is doing for your community, the dance academy or how you can support the arts and culture of the Colorado Ballet.

 

*Please Note: some information and quotes were taken directly from the website or from the La Sylphide program.