Ballet
Les Sylphides
Les Sylphides is a dreamy, plotless ballet that is all about mood and beauty. There is no story to follow, just moonlight, white tutus, and dancing set to Chopin. It is often a young dancer's first taste of the pure classical style.
Fast facts
- Composer
- Frédéric Chopin (orchestrated by various composers)
- Choreographer
- Michel Fokine
- Premiere
- 1909, in its well known Ballets Russes staging
- Structure
- One act
- Running time
- About 30 minutes
The story
There is no narrative. A poet figure dances among a group of sylphs, ethereal spirits in long white romantic tutus, in a moonlit clearing. The ballet is a series of elegant solos, duets, and group dances that capture a Romantic mood rather than tell a tale. It is admired for its soft, flowing style.
What Les Sylphides is famous for
- being a plotless mood piece
- Chopin's piano music orchestrated for the stage
- long white Romantic tutus
- its dreamy, moonlit atmosphere
Companies that perform Les Sylphides
Les Sylphides is in the repertoire of companies including Royal Danish Ballet, Dutch National Ballet.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Les Sylphides the same as La Sylphide?
No, they are different. La Sylphide is a Romantic story ballet, while Les Sylphides is a later plotless mood piece set to Chopin, despite the similar name.
Does Les Sylphides have a story?
No. It is a plotless ballet focused on atmosphere, music, and beautiful classical dancing rather than a narrative.
What music is Les Sylphides set to?
It is set to piano music by Frédéric Chopin, orchestrated for the ballet stage.
Who composed Les Sylphides?
Les Sylphides was composed by Frédéric Chopin (orchestrated by various composers).
How long is Les Sylphides?
Les Sylphides runs about 30 minutes.