The Paris Opera ballet.

The Paris Opera ballet By Ivor Guest. Hightstown, NJ: Princeton Book Company, 2006. 160 pp. Illustrated. Hardcover, $39.95.

Thirty years ago the Paris Opera commissioned British dance historian Ivor Guest to write an official account of its ballet company. He was the ideal choice, for among the 30 volumes that have punctuated Guest's distinguished career, nearly half have dealt with French ballet.

The original edition of The Paris Opera Ballet has now been reprinted in English. Guest has also extended its text into the 21st century.

The institution he writes about has survived a colorful journey since Louis XIV bestowed his blessing in 1669. What enchanting names Guest brings to life. Sometimes he seems to be reminiscing about maitres de ballet he actually knew and dancers he has watched perform. We meet Pierre Beauchamp, whom Guest calls the company's "architect." Following on Beauchamp's nimble heels are Pecour, Ballon, Vestris (father and sou), and Noverre to mention only a few. Threading brilliantly through the male labyrinth are Francoise Prevost, Marie-Anne de Cupis de Camargo, Madeleine Guimard, Taglioni, Elssler, Grisi--the list is generous.

Romanticism came and went, as did a stream of visiting artists from Italy. By 1928 Serge Lifar, whom Guest calls the "solitary bohemian," acceded to the Ballet's throne. Here the author's enthusiasm begins to flag. He becomes more interested in mentioning the dancers as they are promoted to etoile status than in providing insight into the choreography they interpreted.

The appendices following the text are as fascinating as they are valuable. They include all of the ballets produced at the Opera, its etoiles, principal maitres de ballet, guest artists, and ballets performed more than 100 times. Of the 56 in this category, the top 10 are Telemaque and Psyche (both by Pierre Gardel), Coppelia, (Saint-Leon), Giselle (Coralli/Perrot), Suite en Blanc (Lifar), La Sylphide (Filippo Taglioni), Suite de Danses (Ivan Clustine), Soir de Fete (Leo Staats), Swan Lake (Bourmeister), and Etudes (Harald Lander). Coppelia still remains number one.--D.H.