The mythology inspired ballet Sylvia, is a three-act ballet set to the music of French Composer Lo Delibes. Often considered to be one of Delibes's greatest musical works, this ballet made its debut in 1876 in Paris. The inspiration for the ballet's story is believed to be the 1573 pastoral play 'Aminta' by Italian poet Torquato Tasso. It premiered at the Palais Garnier in Paris on June 14th 1876 was unfortunately met with a poor reception and subsequent productions of the ballet were also largely unsuccessful.
It wasn't until 1952 that Sylvia received greater acclaim and wider appeal, when legendary dancer and choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton resurrected the ballet. Critics however found the plotline too complicated, so Ashton reworked Sylvia into a one-act ballet but finally gave up on it in 1965. Ashton had expressed a desire to rework Sylvia once more into a three-act ballet and in 2001 a former student of Ashton's, Christopher Newton, realized his vision and recreated Sylvia into a three-act ballet with a less complicated narrative. The ballet has been performed in recent times and met with a better reception.
Sylvia has a pastoral theme and this is reflected in the ballet's opening act that features a minor cast of nymphs, dryads, fauns and goats. The main characters are of course the ballet's huntress protagonist Sylvia and Aminta, a young shepherd boy who is in love with Sylvia. The God of love Eros and Goddess of hunting Diana also feature along with the hunter Orion who appears as the villain in the story.
The first Act of Sylvia - A Sacred Wood - introduces us to all the main characters in the ballet. The ballet begins with a scene featuring the various woodland spirits and creatures dancing for Eros - the God of love. The huntress nymph Sylvia arrives with her hunt attendants and they begin to mock the ritual they see before them. Aminta, a young shepherd boy who is in love with Sylvia is hidden watching the whole episode unfold. Seeing someone hidden in the bushes Sylvia shoots an arrow not knowing it is Aminta but her arrow injures both Eros and Aminta. Also hidden in the bushes watching is Orion who is also in love with Sylvia he seizes the opportunity to kidnap Sylvia in the ensuing commotion and takes her away to his cave.
Act two is titled Orion's Island Cave, which is the location Orion brings the kidnapped Sylvia to. Sylvia stubbornly refuses all offers of kindness such as jewelry and wine from Orion with her only thoughts focused on the wounded Aminta. She fakes a change of heart, getting Orion drunk on the wine so that she can make her escape. After invoking the God of love Eros, Sylvia receives a vision that Aminta is waiting for her at the temple of the Goddess Diana and with the help of Eros escapes from Orion.
The third act is called The Sea Coast Near The Temple Of Diana and this is where Aminta and Sylvia are reunited. However Orion is in pursuit and also arrives at the temple. Orion and Aminta fight and in the confusion Orion tries to enter Diana's shrine where Sylvia is hiding. This act enrages Diana who refuses to give Sylvia and Aminta congress. All is saved by Eros who sends a vision to Diana that reminds her of her own young love for a shepherd Endymion. This softens her heart and Aminta and Sylvia are able to come together with the blessing of the Gods. - 40728
It wasn't until 1952 that Sylvia received greater acclaim and wider appeal, when legendary dancer and choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton resurrected the ballet. Critics however found the plotline too complicated, so Ashton reworked Sylvia into a one-act ballet but finally gave up on it in 1965. Ashton had expressed a desire to rework Sylvia once more into a three-act ballet and in 2001 a former student of Ashton's, Christopher Newton, realized his vision and recreated Sylvia into a three-act ballet with a less complicated narrative. The ballet has been performed in recent times and met with a better reception.
Sylvia has a pastoral theme and this is reflected in the ballet's opening act that features a minor cast of nymphs, dryads, fauns and goats. The main characters are of course the ballet's huntress protagonist Sylvia and Aminta, a young shepherd boy who is in love with Sylvia. The God of love Eros and Goddess of hunting Diana also feature along with the hunter Orion who appears as the villain in the story.
The first Act of Sylvia - A Sacred Wood - introduces us to all the main characters in the ballet. The ballet begins with a scene featuring the various woodland spirits and creatures dancing for Eros - the God of love. The huntress nymph Sylvia arrives with her hunt attendants and they begin to mock the ritual they see before them. Aminta, a young shepherd boy who is in love with Sylvia is hidden watching the whole episode unfold. Seeing someone hidden in the bushes Sylvia shoots an arrow not knowing it is Aminta but her arrow injures both Eros and Aminta. Also hidden in the bushes watching is Orion who is also in love with Sylvia he seizes the opportunity to kidnap Sylvia in the ensuing commotion and takes her away to his cave.
Act two is titled Orion's Island Cave, which is the location Orion brings the kidnapped Sylvia to. Sylvia stubbornly refuses all offers of kindness such as jewelry and wine from Orion with her only thoughts focused on the wounded Aminta. She fakes a change of heart, getting Orion drunk on the wine so that she can make her escape. After invoking the God of love Eros, Sylvia receives a vision that Aminta is waiting for her at the temple of the Goddess Diana and with the help of Eros escapes from Orion.
The third act is called The Sea Coast Near The Temple Of Diana and this is where Aminta and Sylvia are reunited. However Orion is in pursuit and also arrives at the temple. Orion and Aminta fight and in the confusion Orion tries to enter Diana's shrine where Sylvia is hiding. This act enrages Diana who refuses to give Sylvia and Aminta congress. All is saved by Eros who sends a vision to Diana that reminds her of her own young love for a shepherd Endymion. This softens her heart and Aminta and Sylvia are able to come together with the blessing of the Gods. - 40728
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