A SCOTTISH FANTASY
TAKES FLIGHT

A Romantic ballet classic that still enchants

Alban Lendorf

This month, San Francisco Ballet is performing the Danish Romantic classic La Sylphide. This revival was first performed in 1836 in Denmark. Choreographed by August Bournonville, and set in the Scottish Highlands, it is the story of the Sylph, a mysterious, ethereal creature who fascinates all whom she encounters. Not being human, she cannot be physically touched, though humans find her dancing spirit irresistible despite being unobtainable.

Nathaniel Remez and the San Francisco Ballet in Bournonville’s La Sylphide

She comes across a handsome Scottish farmer, James (Alban Lendorf), the night before his engagement to Effy (Carmela Mayo). He immediately becomes obsessed with her and fantasizes about a life with her. Both Effy and James’s best friend Gūrn (Cavan Conley), who cannot see the Sylph (Wona Park), become worried as James is clearly distracted and seemingly gone mad. In the meantime, Madge, the Witch of Fate (Nathaniel Remez), can see James and the Sylph interacting. Angry with James, she plots revenge to make him suffer. She gives him a magic scarf that will supposedly help capture the Sylph. Yet when he gives it to her, it is poisonous and kills her.

Gūrn, who has always been in love with Effy, marries her. James is despondent at being left alone and collapses in the end.

San Francisco Ballet in Bournonville’s La Sylphide

This timeless and sad story has all the elements of a Romantic ballet (it is purported to be the first). The light and quick footwork of the dancers is amazing to watch. While the Sylph is considered the object of desire, it’s really Lendorf who is the principal dancer who lights up the stage. His leaps into the air, in time with the music, seem effortless, and he has many opportunities to practically float from one side of the stage to the next. All the male Scotsmen are wearing plaid kilts. As they twirl around in circles, the momentum lifts their skirts, showing their muscular legs. I was mesmerized by Lendorf’s perfect air jumps, with well-executed landings like a well-rehearsed gymnastics routine, .

Alban Lendorf

La Sylphide features live accompaniment from the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, led by Music Director and Principal Conductor Martin West, performing Herman Severin Løvenskiold’s score. (At select performances, Guest Conductor Gavriel Heine leads the orchestra.) The music, full of light, lilting Romantic phrasing, supports the dancers’ buoyancy and adds to the fairy-tale atmosphere without overwhelming the action onstage.

Wona Park

Former San Francisco Ballet dancer Ulrik Birkkjær creates great visual experiences with the fairies dancing in line and the Scotsmen joyfully dancing together. Scenic and costume designer José Varona’s Scottish village and the bright green forest where the fairies reside create a beautiful backdrop to showcase the talented ensemble of dancers. My favorite set, featured only briefly, is that of Madge the Witch’s cauldron, where she and her fellow witches are brewing up trouble. Varona’s choices of plaid skirts for the male dancers, as well as tutus covered in rhinestones, crystals, and sequins, showcase the dancers’ muscular physiques.

Nathaniel Remez and Alban Lendorf

There are no words or subtitles to translate the story onstage, but they are not necessary. Audiences of all ages—people new to ballet as well as experienced enthusiasts—can easily interpret the story, which plays out like a children’s fairy tale. At 70 minutes (plus a 20-minute intermission), the story flies by, yet the audience is treated to a full and magical experience.

San Francisco Ballet in Bournonville’s La Sylphide

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

photos by Lindsey Rallo

La Sylphide
San Francisco Ballet
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
70 minutes, plus 20-minute intermission
ends on April 16, 2026
for tickets, call 415.865.2000 or visit SF Ballet

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦