Forgotten Giant: Pierre Gardel

Abstract

For three decades Pierre Gardel (1758-1840) held the reins of power at the greatest ballet institution in the world, the Paris Opera. His attributes were considerable; he was intensely loyal, possessed political acuteness and, most importantly, he was a master of his art. All were vital to the successful guidance of the Opera's ballet through some of the most explosive years of French history, through the last days of the Ancien Regime, through Revolution, Empire and Restoration. His domination of ballet at the Paris Opera has been represented by ballet historians as a great impediment to the development of ballet in Paris.' Such a notion denies Gardel's central position in ballet history, for his ballets were models of excellence praised by audiences and critics and emulated by artists. His teaching was respected by ballet 'giants' such as Noverre, Blasis and Bournonville.