Flore et Zéphire

Flore et Zéphire is a one-act ballet choreographed by Charles-Louis Didelot to music by Cesare Bossi, premiered in London at the King's Theatre, Haymarket on Thursday, 7 July 1796. The ballet tells the story of Zephyr, the fickle west wind, and his wife Flora, a nymph of flowers and springtime. The ballet was originally composed in 1795 for performance in Lyon, France, and was revised in 1796 prior to its London premiere. Flore et Zéphire used "flying machines" to send dancers soaring above the stage on nearly invisible wires, in order to enhance the presentation of Flora and Zephyr as spirits of the air. The ballet is credited with the introduction of dancing en pointe to the stage.