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August Bournonville,
born in Copenhagen in
1805, was a dancer and
choreographer who
directed the Royal
Danish Ballet for nearly
50 years and established
the Danish style based
on bravura dancing and
expressive mime.
He studied under his
father, Antoine
Bournonville, one of the
major dancers of his
day, before going to
Paris for further training
under Auguste Vestris
and Pierre Gardel. After
appearances at the Paris
Opera and in London,
Bournonville returned to
Copenhagen as soloist
and choreographer for
the Royal Danish
Ballet.
A strong dancer with
excellent elevation and
an accomplished mime,
he emphasized these
qualities in his ballets.
His choreographic style
also reflected the
pre-Romantic approach
of his teacher Vestris.
Many of his ballets have
remained in the
repertoire of the Royal
Danish Ballet for more
than a century.
Bournonville also
directed the Swedish
Royal Opera at
Stockholm (1861-64)
and staged several of his
works in Vienna
(1855-56). In 1877,
after his return to
Denmark, he retired and
was knighted. He died
on November 30, 1879
in Copenhagen. |
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