The perils of Petipa

In this fascinating article, Ismene Brown explores the difficulties of recreating original Petipa choreography from the notations of the time. What is "authenticity"? How can two people looking at the same notation arrive at two quite different interpretations? What are the difficulties of transcribing dance into notation? What are the merits of "foot to foot" (what a delightful term!) transmission from coach to dancer vs. following notation? What influence does the coach and the individual dancer have on the original choreography? Why does ballet not have an "ur-text" to follow for its 19th-century masterpieces that would compare with the scores of musical works? How do politics, nationalism, and a desire for royalties affect the ballets we see on stage? All very intriguing.