Les Sylphides

Les Sylphides, or “The Sylphs,” is a ballet that premiered in 1909 choreographed by Michel Fokine, with music by Frédéric Chopin. It has nothing to do with sylphs, a spirit of the air from European mythology, and everything to do with tutus and pointe shoes.

This one-act ballet features little to no plot or character development, which is great news for those who suffer from an inability to focus on anything for more than a few minutes. Instead, the focus is entirely on the dancers twirling and leaping across the stage, which is really all anyone wants to see anyway.

The ballet typically begins with a white-clad female dancer entering the stage and being joined by a group of male dancers in dark costumes, symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil, or perhaps the hardships of living in a world where black clothes always show pet hair.

The dancers then proceed to perform a series of enchanting and intricate movements that will make you feel simultaneously envious of their grace and mildly ashamed of your own mobility. There is usually a big, show-stopping finale that involves everyone doing the same steps at the same time, which is always impressive until you remember that synchronized swimming exists.

Overall, Les Sylphides is a beautiful and graceful ballet that is sure to leave you wanting more, or at least wanting to take a nap. And if you ever do encounter a sylph in real life, just remember to bow politely and try not to step on its tiny fairy toes.