2-888-456 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Masquerade Scene from the New Ballet of "Les Metamorphoses", 1850. 'Carlotta Grisi, in the very appropriate character of an exquisite sprite, assuming at each moment some new transformation, and employing in turn every species of fascination, danced as she never did before. She did her spiriting so quaintly and so curiously, her buoyant steps, so graceful and aerial, were withal so eccentric, that the spectators were lost in astonishment. Thus, as a mime and as a dancer she was equally triumphant...This last tableau alone (which we have represented, and which is full of startling effects) contains the materials sufficient for half a dozen ordinary ballets...The dancers...Mdle. Rosa and her four companions, and the agile M. Charles, displayed the greatest talent; and M. Paul Taglioni had the opportunity of distinguishing himself as much in physical motion as he has done in devising the ballet.' From "Illustrated London News", 1850.