'Robert Le Diable' (1830) - Alicia Alonso and Jorge Esquivel

'Robert Le Diable' (1830) or 'Robert The Devil' was the first of the Romantic era ballets.

It formed part of the third act of Giacomo Meyerbeer's opera of the same name.

It should be noted that it was in this ballet that for the first time a ballerina - Marie Taglione, who created the role of Helena, the Abbess - arose onto point.

The tenor role of Robert at the premier was taken by Adolphe Nourrit.

The reconstruction and choreography for the performance here for Alicia Alonso and Jorge Esquivel are by Alberto Mendez.

It's very nice that the curtain calls at the end are in period style. Although they are conducted in an almost satirical mode!

The work is introduced by Erik Bruhn.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• 'Robert Le Diable'
• 'Robert the Devil
• Alicia Alonso
• Jorge Esquivel
• ballet
• dance
• Marie Taglione
• Meyerbeer
• Romantic era
• Romantic era ballet

[52Denis]

le diable is Robert ? , 

[nickwallacesmith]

hi 52Denis - yep, well one devil! cheers

[sgettkant]

Historical note on this performance: this has nothing to do with a true reconstruction of the opera´s famous act 3 "Ballet of the nuns". The role of Robert was sung by Nourrit, who hardly danced while busy with singing his part. The musical sections are rearranged and mixed up with parts of the act 2 ballet of the same opera and the new orchestration is not Meyerbeer´s. The original staging should show just the nun´s trying to seduce Robert with Drinks, Game and finally - Taglionis part - Love.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi sgettkant - thanks for taking the time to expand on what i know about this ballet - very kind of you and much appreciated, best, nick

[opensecret51]

Thank you Nick for this pearl ..I adore Alicia Alonso she is a GREAT balerina and this is a precious performance !!!

[nickwallacesmith]

hi opensecret51 - i was a bit smug about finding it and then being able to upload it - but my modesty has kicked in and i'm now just happy people are enjoying it, cheers, nick

[hikari6986]

@kimmois1 Um i have to remind you she was almost blind in that time (if not totally blind already), what she did is something not all ballerinas could do at that age! She is truly a wonder woman!

[nickwallacesmith]

hi MakingJoy - glad you like it - i loved finding it - it doesn' seem to be about on you tube. love your word 'minx' - captures much of her expression here exactly! and she understands so well the romantic ballet 'atmosphere' - and the porte de bras as you say is still great. cheers

[nickwallacesmith]

hi kimmois1 - i agree with you to the extent that fonteyn, at the very end of her career, was not good to watch. as we know now, and sadly, she had financial reasons for needing to go on and on. a london critic said that the only reason to see her would be if you'd never seen her before and wanted to experience this legend on stage - must say i'd go to see Markova in her decline had i the chance. it's a hard call as ever if we've never sen someone on stage we can see their past on video, cheers

[nickwallacesmith]

hi GariGold - not unlike fonteyn in the latter stages of her career, alonso works pretty well within the limits of what she can achieve - such that the performance does not seem really lacking. and like fonteyn again, well pulled up and beautiful line, as you say. as we all know as dancers get older they can bring more to the role, here an understanding of the expression and feel of ballet in the romantic era - without moving into parody.