La Source
A secluded waterfall symbolizes the enchanted spring at the heart of La Source, home to the magical spirit Naïla.
QUICK F A C T S
- ✦ Premiere: November 12, 1866
✦ Choreographer: Arthur Saint-Léon
✦ Composers: Léo Delibes and Ludwig Minkus
✦ Setting: An enchanted Persian-inspired landscape of mountains, forests, and magical springs
✦ Inspired By: Folklore, Myth & Legend
✦ Status: Revived in the twenty-first century and performed by ballet companies today
A modern artistic interpretation of Naïla, the magical spirit of the spring whose selfless love lies at the heart of La Source.
S U M M A R Y
La Source (The Spring) is a fantastical ballet that blends romance, magic, and adventure in a story inspired by the legends of enchanted springs and woodland spirits. Premiering at the Paris Opéra in 1866, the ballet was choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon with music by Léo Delibes and Ludwig Minkus. The story follows the beautiful spring spirit Naïla, who falls in love with the mortal hunter Djémil and uses her magical powers to help him win the heart of Princess Nouredda.
Vaslav Nijinsky performs the role of Djémil in La Source, showcasing the grace and expressive style that made him one of ballet's greatest stars.
Portrait of Léo Delibes, who collaborated with Ludwig Minkus to compose the enchanting score for La Source (1866).
Set in an imagined Eastern landscape of forests, mountains, and sparkling springs, La Source combines graceful classical dancing with spectacular stage effects. Naïla's supernatural world contrasts with the human court, creating a ballet filled with shimmering ensembles, lively character dances, and moments of lyrical beauty. Although Djémil ultimately marries the princess, Naïla chooses to sacrifice her own happiness, giving the ballet a bittersweet ending that celebrates selfless love.
While La Source disappeared from the stage for many years, it has enjoyed a remarkable revival in the twenty-first century. Modern productions have introduced new audiences to its elegant choreography and Delibes's enchanting music, restoring the ballet to the classical repertoire. Today, La Source is admired as an important bridge between the grand Romantic ballets of the nineteenth century and the increasingly sophisticated classical works that followed, including Delibes's later masterpiece, Coppélia.
Portrait of Ludwig Minkus, who collaborated with Léo Delibes to compose the enchanting score for La Source (1866).
E N C O R E
✦ A Historic Collaboration – La Source is the only ballet jointly composed by Léo Delibes and Ludwig Minkus, combining the talents of two of ballet's greatest composers.
✦ A Long-Awaited Return – After disappearing from the stage for decades, La Source was successfully revived in the twenty-first century, allowing audiences to rediscover its enchanting music and Romantic storytelling.
✦ A Bridge Between Eras – Premiering just four years before Coppélia, La Source helped pave the way for the richly musical classical ballets that would define the late nineteenth century.