Napoli (ballet)

Napoli
Bournonville in 1841
Choreographed by	August Bournonville
Composed by	Helsted Gade Paulli
Libretto by	August Bournonville
Date of premiere	March 29, 1842
Place of premiere	Copenhagen, Denmark
Original ballet company	Royal Danish Ballet
Characters	Teresina Gennaro Golfo
Setting	Naples Blue Grotto
Genre	Fantasy
Type	Romantic ballet

Napoli is a ballet in three acts. The story of the ballet and the dances are the work of August Bournonville. The music was written by E. Helsted, Gade, and Paulli. Napoli was first danced by the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen on 29 March 1842. Napoli has not changed over the years. It is danced in Copenhagen today exactly as it was danced in 1842. It is said to be Bournonville's greatest ballet.^[1]

Story of the ballet

The beautiful Neapolitan girl Teresina loves Gennaro, a very poor fisherman. Gennaro and Teresina sail out into the Gulf of Naples. A storm washes Teresina into the sea. Gennaro sets out to save her. Teresina has been taken to the blue grotto (a rocky cave) by sea spirits. The grotto is the home of the powerful spirit Golfo. He plans to keep Teresina in the grotto. He changes her into a spirit. Gennaro sails into the grotto. He prays to the Madonna and Teresina becomes herself again. Gennaro and Teresina go back to Naples. The people believe Teresina was saved through witchcraft. A priest says it was a miracle. The people are happy. Teresina and Gennaro marry.^[2]

Romantic Ballets
The Ballet of the Nuns (1831) La Sylphide (1832) Giselle (1841) Napoli (1842) Pas de Quatre (1845) Paquita (1846) Coppélia (1870)
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Notes

1. Balanchine 1975, p. 263
2. Balanchine 1975, pp. 263–65

References

• Balanchine, George (1975), 101 Stories of the Great Ballets, Anchor Books

Other websites

• Excerpt from the third act "Tarantella"