Jean-Georges Noverre quotes

When the music and dance create with accord...their magic captivates both the heart and the mind. (Jean-Georges Noverre)
A fine picture is but the image of nature; a finished ballet is nature herself. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre
This art, born of genius and good taste, can become beautiful and varied to an infinite degree. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre
If our ballets be feeble, monotonous and dull, if they be devoid of ideas, meaning, expression and character, it is less the fault of the art than that of the artist. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre
Applause lavished at a whim and without discernment, often proves the ruin of young people training for a stage career. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre
It is shameful that dancing should renounce the empire it might assert over the mind and only endeavor to please the sight. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre
It is not a question of skimming the surface of the art, it must be probed to its depths, for to seize upon superficial things only is to degenerate into mediocrity and obscurity. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre
I will make an average man into an average dancer, provided he be passably well made. I will teach him how to move his arms and legs, to turn his head. I will give him steadiness, brilliancy and speed; but I cannot endow him with that fire and intelligence, those graces and that expression of feeling which is the soul of true pantomime. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre
The abuse of the best things is always detrimental. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre
I cannot avoid condemning all those who, from self-conceit have the pretension to imitate great artists of the past. If their powers of emotion be weak, their powers of expression will be likewise. View quote
Jean-Georges Noverre