One of the most important and exciting discoveries in recent years in the field of dance history is that of a manuscript of a transcription of the choreography of 'Giselle', dating from the late 1860s in Paris, by one Henri Justamant, briefly ballet master at the Paris Opera Ballet.

Its importance lies in the fact that this is the only known record of the choreography before Marius Petipa's many revision and alterations gave us the ballet which we know today. Justamant's transcription was made less than 30 years after the ballet's premiere, and is thus probably the closest we shall ever get to the original choreography. His transcription takes the form of figure and floor pattern notations and accompanying French texts and is reproduced here in its entirety of nearly 240 pages.

This is however very much a book for specialists: Justamant's text has not been transcribed (although his script is very legible) or translated: the book has just a short introduction (in English and German) by Frank-Manuel Peter, so at the minimum the user will requite a working knowledge of the French language and a basic understanding of the choreographic procedures of the period.

Within these limitations, this a publication of major importance which should be in every dance library.

You'll find a direct ordering link at:

www.dancebooks.co.uk/titles/5624.asp