La Sylphide

Act I

Farmer’s house in Scotland. On the eve of the marriage the beautiful virgin of air – the Sylph – that has fallen in love with him comes to James. Having been charmed, the youth tries to touch her, but the Sylph disappears. James is full of thoughts of the mysterious creature…
Effie appears – the James’ fiancée, the guests come. Happiness and dances are everywhere… The wedding scarf is presented to the bridegrooms. But the witch Madge foretells Effie the other fiancé – Gurn. James drives away the witch and reassures the fiancée.
… The Sylph appears again and again, and James, not being able to control himself, rushes after her.

Act II

James and Sylph are in the magic forest. Trying to hold, to capture the elusive Sylph, the enamoured James appeals for help to the wise Madge. The witch harbours a resentment against the youth – she remembers how he sent her away, when she came to tell fortunes to Effie. Being full of passionate desire for revenge, with the help of the evil spell Madge creates the magic scarf… James wraps it around the Sylph, her wings fall off, and with them her life also leaves and she dies on the hands of the miserable youth. The friends take the Sylph to the clouds.
James is in despair… The wedding procession, escorting Effie and Gurn, is held at a distance.