Sylvia - Act III solo (Darcey Bussell, The Royal Ballet)

Former Royal Ballet Principal dancer Darcey Bussell performs the Act III solo in Ashton's sparkling ballet, Sylvia.
Find out more at www.roh.org.uk/sylvia
Frederick Ashton’s delightful full-length classical ballet is a charming feast for the senses, set to Delibes’ marvellous score. Sylvia was Frederick Ashton’s second full-length ballet, created in 1952 as a sparkling showpiece for his muse Margot Fonteyn. Ashton used Delibes’ gorgeous 1876 score - famously beloved by Tchaikovsky, who praised its ‘charm and elegance… its riches in melody, rhythm, harmony’. The ballet fell from the repertory but in 2004 was reconstructed by Christopher Newton for Ashton’s centenary - so rescuing from the archives a seminal work of Ashton’s English style.
Delibes’ first-rank ballet music inspired Ashton to create some of his most inventive dance imagery. There is a wealth of detail and fun in every character, and in Sylvia herself Ashton created one of the most surprisingly wide-ranging Principal roles. From the powerful huntress of Act I to the artful, witty woman who schemes her escape from pirates, and the rosy bride of the final scene, she emerges as a marvellously layered character - her challenging choreography a test to each new generation of Ashtonians.
Frederick Ashton created more than one hundred works during his lifetime (1904-88). For further information, please visit www.frederickashton.org.uk.
This production was recorded live at the Royal Opera House in December 2005.

[@1.1_1.1]

These hops on pointe are so hard!!

[@65NART]

Marcela Fernandez they ARE difficult. You do it then.

[@millietwist8474]

Which ones (there are a bunch)

[@evelynnnyynyn132]

Ana Cruz idk about me but I’m like 9 (turning 10) I can kind of go on pointe

[@lcrjones5220]

@@evelynnnyynyn132 going on pointe is different to hops on pointe. They take much more ankle strength than just rises or pirouettes or whatever

[@JustBeingAwesome]

especially with the bended knee + hopping backwards. Those poor ankles :)

[@alecsia96]

Her leg and foot work were so PERFECT. This is what accurate, accomplished ballet technique looks like. Fabulous interpretation!

[@MattCookVideos]

If you think it’s perfect, you don’t have a good eye. I found it to be quite cringe-worthy, honestly.

[@ellenzine5174]

@@MattCookVideos her interpretation was fabulous, and every move was extremely precise. In your eyes, what part of this variation was cringe-worthy? If you think it’s so bad, then you’re the one with a bad eye.

[@sedekiman]

@@MattCookVideos My dear Matt I have booked an appointment at my optician. He is a very good man.

[@hot7567]

@@MattCookVideos i think u just don’t enjoy ballet haha

[@Carpetslipper]

@@ellenzine5174 I have a quick look at matts KZbin channel. He has been learning from experts in the field of movement for the last couple of years. I think this qualifies him fully on being able to critique this internationally famous and regarded prima ballerina who has spent most of her life in dance. 2 years of study and your own channel is not to be sniffed at. 1.25k subscribers. No shit....

[@lisadevries1099]

If I were there, I would start clapping accidentally whenever the music stops

[@msmedved_]

Lol!! I was thinking that too! If I had never seen it before, I'd be so embarrassed right there with you

[@naimataouti39]

Mmm!!

[@bettymeireles86]

@Michelle Edradan lol 😂

[@jessicaxia4413]

that is why I like to preview a performance before I actually go to see a live one

[@pink_destiny8332]

*I WAS LOWKEY ABOUT TO LOOK FOR THIS COMMENT-*

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

There was a genuine joy to her dancing as if she were saying oh that was impossibly hard and so incredibly fun. Her legs and feet are sheer balletic beauty.

[@nir9670]

that is not fun for her wth r u talking about that probably hurts like hell.

[@Riinaliina]

She does it so lightly and stylish way.

[@ginamilford6029]

Darcey Bussell is without a doubt one of the most elegant and graceful dancers I have ever seen. But she is more than just a wonderful dancer, her personality and smile just lit up the stage and captivated her audiences.

[@rossewen8259]

It is so interesting looking at the steps behind her and who is sitting there: Lauren Cuthbertson, Samantha Raine, Sarah Lamb, Laura McCulloch, I even think Marianela Nunez is sat there too!

[@samantha7549]

Marianela Núñez is not there, in 2005 she had already been a principal for three years, so I don't think she would have been cast in such a small role.

[@AmbarD.P.D.]

They don't necessarily play only the main roles. She's there with the first soloists, just one rank before principal , so it's nothing strange​@@samantha7549

[@skylab5421]

This is so pretty, she makes it look effortless, but I know just how hard it is to do this. They practice for 40+ hours a week and it takes time to do this and it’s just so graceful. I’m going on pointe soon and all this dancers inspire me so much.

[@TheLightShines]

Are you on pointe now?

[@FelixDance88]

dont do it! or have a backup plan

[@skylab5421]

@@TheLightShines yea I am! I’m been working hard and being careful! Doing turns on pointe now so I’m doing pretty good!

[@skylab5421]

@@FelixDance88 ??? I’m on pointe, I was told by my teachers and went to PT for it and was fitted right. I’m doing very well now. I’m trained at a studio

[@hippolyte90]

Look closely at Sylvia's attendants and you'll see future principals Sarah Lamb, Lauren Cuthbertson and Marianela Nunez

[@eurekamreum5458]

But wasn't Marianela already a principal by 2005?

[@moonlightchill4538]

@@eurekamreum5458 yes, she was, i don't think it is marianela. Her hair was blonde-ish at that time

[@sophiebethanyrosexo]

I definitely spotted Lauren! she is my favourite current principal so this was so magical to see!

[@charlottegrubbs6784]

This comment goes out to all the unsung heroes is the Corps de Ballet😘

[@offtothenextadventure4048]

THANK YOU!

[@meredithfrances9438]

Darcey Bussell is absolutely extraordinary in this variation/solo. This is a piece of extraordinarily difficult choreography with not a scintilla of spare time in the music. She gorgeously executes the variation with matchless musicality and virtuosity. She’s equally amazing as the Huntress in the ballet: another variation of extraordinary difficulty. I believe not even every principal could execute these two variations. Bussell is simply matchless in this role. I’m sure Fonteyn was sublime in her time (as she was in everything with her pure line, perfect port des bras and musicality...but to compare two such completely different dancers from different eras is not possible in any event). Brava Ms Bussell....

[@sedekiman824]

Yes Sylvia was made on Fonteyn, so she would have sparkled in this choreography, as Ashton would have used all her man y talents!

[@zuzannakujawa4583]

That's what happens when you practice 40 hours a day

[@annie8230]

Yes. I gotchu. Lingling would approve.

[@Maria-mu4ol]

40th like

[@cadenceframe2141]

Twoset gang

[@zuzannakujawa4583]

Yay!

[@LuckyDucky917]

This comment made me laugh so hard!

[@tyliehaught1555]

I love you guys so much! I am only 12 and i have been doing ballet for 10 years straight! My dreams are to become a professional and i practice everyday! You guys are the reason i still do ballet!

[@jancizinsky6194]

Keep my fingers cossed.

[@deneyandle1193]

Im 10 and i have been doing ballet for 8 nearly 9 years now. I have the same dream as you

[@elw6323]

good luck girlie ❤️

[@huzaifaikram3641]

U started ballet at the age of 2???

[@huzaifaikram3641]

@Lil’ meow meow i was not being rude I was just surprised that she started doing ballet that early

[@Jayjen35]

Absolutely remarkable! That is one marathon of a solo, and for her to be so light and effortless in it is just genius.

[@cynthiafletcher9845]

Darcy sparkles!! She was such an exceptional dancer with a great technique and presence. C❤❤

[@user-eu4uq5jl3o]

I want to be able to do this when I'm older 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@santi7616]

Thanks for this video. I have the DVD in my house, and I see it very often, the production is truly fabulous and the dancers are fabulous too , specially Darcey and Roberto , the music is great, in short, it is a DVD of those that become memorable and unrepeatable. I had the good fortune to go to London on November 4, 2004, to see the first performance of Sylvia with Darcey Bussell and Jonathan Cope, it was an unforgettable performance, a great success. The next day, on the 5th, Zenaida Zenaida Yanowsky was Sylvia, and she got another great success. The truth is that I will never forget those two days in London, thanks to Darcey and Zenaida, memorable performances ¡¡¡ :-)

[@OmgitsNeens]

Such musicality in her dancing!

[@michal4170]

She is captivating indeed

[@GloriamMonarchia]

G - O - R - G - E - O - U - S The danger, the orchestra, the set, the entire production with all the people involved = ❤️ perfect

[@SUN-BALLET]

This is what we called Royal Ballet Style. !!!

[@PleiadesNebula]

She is simply the goddess of ballet. So good, elegant and perfect! Love her Sylvia.

[@domisthebomb09]

It physically pains me to know I'll never be this graceful 😭😭

[@paulineiv878]

Beautiful and Mesmerizing!!💗I love how elegant and flawless Ms Darcey is as Sylvia her techniques are out of these world and wish to have seen more!!💕

[@willkirkoff1333]

I'm watching strictly dancing on TV right now and thought I might look up Darcey I am not disappointed! What an amazing performance!

[@HiveMistress]

Darcey always makes it look so effortless!

[@bonio64a]

I've never been keen on my middle name 'Sylvia', but having seen this performance I am a hell of a lot more proud of it than I was before. Stunning dancing!

[@fernlin-healy2174]

My daughter's middle name is Sylvia too! Named after my aunt.

[@chandraprabhasolanki1349]

And when I feel like ima ballerina, I imagine myself doin all that. .. when actually I'm just jumping around.......... 😂😂😂

[@offtothenextadventure4048]

By far my favorite ballet performance.

[@veldawells2839]

Looks effortless. That's many years of graphting and commitment. My child is only in Grade 5 in ballet, but what an aspiration to follow. Simply beautiful. ❤️

[@EmileThirdWheel]

I'm literally just watching her pointe shoes die from the hops alone, she's so strong!

[@D.A.A.321]

She is amazing! I’ve seen her doing this variation on KZbin years ago but it has been deleted and I have been looking for it ever since! Thank you so much!

[@snoopenny]

The divine Darcey performing the divine choreography of Sir Fred. Heaven.

[@marianpierce5216]

Absolutely brilliant! And lovely to see the next generation of principles watching and learning how it's done!

[@elletuppen4844]

Simply magical. What astounding dancer, both technically and aesthetically.🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@eversango]

ダーシー・バッセルは偉大。改めて思わされる。 このバリエーションをこんな風に魅力的に踊れるのは彼女しかいない。 大柄でゆったりしているかと思えば、脚の細かい動きや体のちょっとしたポジショニングも見事。 この上手さは他に類を見ない。本当に大好きでした。

[@riverwildcat1]

Such perfection, heart, grace, elegance, and sparkling energy! True art wrapped within the highest form of athletics. Just exquisite.

[@jasonknight3417]

Wow 😮 now I know what that song fromBuzzFeed is

[@sophiaschlenoff523]

i forgot about that

[@zuzannakujawa4583]

It's a piece but ok

[@carolinehansen00]

Zuzanna Kujawa no need to be salty

[@takenoprisoners837]

How perfect is she!! Darsey Bussel has always been one of my all time favorite dancers. Watching this clip, I think everyone can understand why. She's so amazing it's like she's not even human. She blows me away every single time I watch her.

[@deborah5763]

Beautiful and so graceful. She looked light as a feather.

[@moniquelouisa4542]

This looks so painful and she pulls it off so gracefully

[@williamdeng1870]

Excellent dance performance and beautiful music!

[@carmen9330]

Lovely performance 👌

[@ayblablabla]

IVE SEEN THIS ONCE ON TV MANY YEARS AGO AND TRIED HARD TO FIND IT BUT I COULDN'T. CANT BELIEVE I FINALLY FIND IT OMG

[@reneejoytan]

absolutely beautiful

[@dottiedavis355]

How does she manage to have sparkling, fast feet and slow, graceful arms? Just beautiful.

[@TeresaDancerGirl]

*sigh* That was beautiful!!! Always loved her!

[@miltonparker7001]

Sublime ! La beauté et la grâce de la femme au zénith , sur une musique sublime ! Intemporel !

[@RedVinesTheUmbridgeW]

this is beautiful 💕

[@321scully]

Lovely - such talent.

[@lsky4446]

Just GORGEOUS! ❤

[@Deedee-ee1sg]

What a SUPERB dancer she is ❤

[@toddcott9510]

This is what perfection looks like !

[@gingy_gingy]

omg i would literally be dying by the end of that, major props to her

[@suzannepace9772]

Iconic!

[@martinstace8201]

Gorgeous, gorgeous Darcey...such an incredibly beautiful dancer. (And those amazing long legs!!) Stunning. 👏🌟🌟🌟💖🌟🌟🌟👏

[@julialitt3992]

I can't help thinking about the thoughts going through the dancers posed behind the star of the show; always makes me chuckle.

[@gerritduplessis7122]

FANTASTIC WORK! THANK YOU GREATLY! BLESSINGS!!!

[@xinranyu5516]

SHE IS AMAZING

[@kaspy1760]

She is an inspiration!

[@mariamartin8516]

Just wonderful.

[@faithrenee9608]

Not only is her dancing beautiful, but she's actually getting her moves on beat. I've seen so many ballerinas who are so focused on the moves that they don't seem to get them on time. (Spoken from a musician, not a ballerina)

[@jenhalquist]

Lovely!!!

[@b.3049]

Absolute perfection

[@lyssatheacases4254]

i always admire ballet

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

So graceful and beautiful

[@moonlightchill4538]

For those of you saying that that is marianela in the background. I don't think so, Nela around this looked a little different from now. Her hair was blonde, also, she was promoted to principal in 2002 and even tho she did some soloist parts (such as the lilac fairy and the queen of willis) to me, the woman behind Darcey looks more like today's Nela.

[@juliescase5105]

Beautiful dancing and beautiful person.

[@sarahrobe1]

She is extraordinary.

[@jagritiarya8296]

So beautiful 💃😍😍😍

[@l.alexandra5871]

Extraordinary Darcey Bussell - Greatest Ballerina at the Royal Ballet since the 1960s and 1970s. Nela might match her technique but not her interpretation, or musicality. Somehow, Darcey’s expression is intrinsic to her.

[@nicc941]

OMG THIS IS PERFECT OMG

[@71thamiresfreitas]

Linda essa versão ♥

[@pedinurse1]

OMG such precision

[@jessiestevenson2940]

The respect I have for this woman

[@msmedved_]

So pretty & perfect!!

[@erinakamura4113]

legend Darcey...

[@ZenGrammy]

Oh, to have been there! 🌟🌟🌟Thanks! 🌹

[@firefliars]

I can just imagine her swearing inside coz of the pain XD

[@quadsis5569]

look at this painting, gorgeous.

[@penelopepolinsneemeyer4757]

What a star!

[@barryhossin2000]

Amazing.!!

[@shanekeogh4740]

Love Darcy a lot always have!

[@ori9305]

I couldn't feel my feet after watching this.

[@AleahZucchi]

Ugh she is so gorgeous I wish I was her

[@jfisk0026]

Can you guys please post Vadim doing the la bayadere solo! I’d love to see some of the guys as well

[@sarahdeoliveira7377]

Simplesmente linda 😘🇧🇷

[@valhersa29]

My toes hurt just from watching her hop. Like, OMG! How can she do that???

[@user-he7jx3ik8o]

Very good I love it😍😍😍😍

[@rianaboshoff7206]

Brilliant!!!!!

[@simonesantosmelo1194]

The best Sylvia ! 😍

[@hayleybenoit4471]

woah amazing

[@adolflenin4973]

Greatest Of All Time

[@Rebecahb2030]

Is perfect all of She is perfect i lo ve it 🤩❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️🤩

[@eleazarelias1703]

Beautiful e Perfeita

[@tiffanyomega5435]

Excellent !

[@Sandrah326]

Perfeição!🙏❤️💐👏👏👏🇧🇷🖖

[@gabbychristensen2576]

I hope to be that good one day!!😍😍😍😍

[@josegmustangs]

That’s so cool

[@garotadagavea]

This is devilishly hard!