Paris
In 1820, Antoine Bournonville received a grant from his sovereign to briefly study ballet in Paris. August accompanied his father to Paris, and, although he studied solely with his father during the Paris sojourn, he was exposed to the latest trends in ballet and watched the illustrious teachers, Gardel and Vestris in action. Upon returning to Denmark, August became a member of the Royal Theatre, dancing in repertory that was less interesting to him after his exposure to Paris ballet.
In the spring of 1824, August returned to Paris for final studies and examination preparations at the Paris Opera. The expected fifteen month sojourn would stretch to five years, during which time Danish ballet would approach near-disastrous decline. In Paris, August met his father's old friend, Louis Nivelon, in Paris who provided him with friendship, meals, and entree into society. August hoped the master Gardel would accept him but Gardel's studio was no longer in existence and he was directed to Auguste Vestris for training in his weakest areas — "balance, pirouettes, and arms." Vestris accepted Bournonville. August wrote his father:
| “ | I am extremely satisfied with my Mr. Vestris and what is more, he is very pleased with my zeal, diligence, and my instant willingness. He is very exact about the lessons and comes to class three times a week at eight in the morning and three times a week at nine and remains until eleven. I get up every morning at six and always arrive one half hour before the lesson so that I am absolutely prepared when Vestris arrives. He has taken me in friendship and cultivated my talent with extreme care, he rigorously points out my faults but treats me with consideration. | ” |
Bournonville danced from 1820 to 1828 with the noted dancer Marie Taglioni and the Paris Opera Ballet.
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