1979 – London Festival Ballet dances Peter Schaufuss’ production of La Sylphide for the first time

The ballet that best epitomises Romantic ballet, La Sylphide was first performed in Paris in 1831. Created by the choreographer and ballet master Filippo Taglioni as a vehicle for his daughter, the ballerina Marie Taglioni, La Sylphide displayed her ethereal, gossamer dancing and brilliant pointe work. The version of the ballet that survives today is one created by August Bournonville for the Royal Danish Ballet, with music by Herman Løvenskjold which has been a constant in the repertory of the Royal Danish Ballet since 1836. Peter Schaufuss’ acclaimed production of the ballet for London Festival Ballet at the Royal Festival Hall in 1979 is closely based on the Bournonville original. The first-night cast included Eva Evdokimova, Peter Schaufuss, Nicholas Johnson, Margot Clarke and Niels Bjørn Larsen.