Classical variation guide
Amour Variation
Also known as Cupid Variation from The Flames of Paris · Flames of Paris Amour Variation · Dance of Amour · Amour · Rinaldo and Armida
The Flames of Paris · Act II
Female
Intermediate
Vasily Vainonen / Alexei Ratmansky edition
Boris Asafyev
About this variation
Inside the Versailles court entertainment Rinaldo and Armida, Amour enters as the playful force that wounds the lovers' hearts with an arrow. The variation turns that brief story into buoyant traveling jumps, quick footwork, open port de bras, and bright theatrical timing.
Performance quality
Airy, playful, courtly, radiant, and quick-witted
Training focus
Build the traveling jumps from an organized plié, keep both legs fully stretched through the open lines, and rehearse the bow-and-arrow mime without shortening the port de bras. Let the quick steps sparkle while the upper body remains effortless.
Key elements
Petit allegro · Grand jumps · Quick footwork · Character acting