Konservatoriet

Title from inscription on back of image.

Written on back of photographic print: ''Pic Folder, Joffrey Ballet.'' Typed on paper taped to back of photographic print: ''From: Rima Corben, City Center Joffrey Ballet, 1230 West 56th Street, New York, New York 10019 (2120) 581-9676. For: City Center Joffrey Ballet. Konservatoriet -- One of the earliest and best examples of the great August Bournonville's ''ballet d'action'', Konservatoriet has been one of the national treasures of the Royal Danish Ballet ever since it was first seen in the King's Theatre in 1849. The City Center Joffrey Ballet production is a restaging by Hans Brenaa, the ranking authority on Bournonville (and Bournonville style), and a leading teacher and director of the Royal Danish Ballet. Originally a two-act ballet (very romantic), the classic which now survives is in one act and is, perhaps, the only ballet extant which preserves the high period of the French ballet. The reason for this is that it was Bournonville's nostalgic recreation of his own student days in the then-great Paris Opera. It is also a tribute to his own great teacher, Auguste Vestris. In fact, the central figure is said to be an affectionate portrait of the famous dancing master, sho was called ''le Dieu da la Danse''. The music is by that stalwart of Danish ballet composer H. Paulli. To art-lovers, the ballet will suggest pastels, drawings (and small bronzes) of Degas. And with reason -- for Degas came up in that period in Paris andbegan his drawings of dancers. (Incidental information: the Museum in Copenhagen is said to have the largest collection of Degas, especially the little-known bronzes, anywhere.) During its long life the ballet has had another title -- The Dancing Lesson. In this photograph: Paul Sutherland as the dancing master with his ''class''. Please credit photographer: Herbert Migdoll.'' Written on front of folder: ''action still, Paul Sutherland w. ens., ''Konservatoriet'' (August Bournonville) n.d. credit: Herbert Migdoll.''