Speaking of Irony: Bournonville, Kierkegaard, H.C. Andersen and the Heibergs

Colin Roth: Speaking of Irony The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the ironic and satiric intent of a speech that the choreographer, August Bournonville, made in October 1861, and, in exploring its references, to shed light on the friendship-circles to which he belonged. Extensive quotations from contemporary documents – diaries, letters and published works – are employed to establish the character and concerns of the players, some of whom may not be familiar to specialists in the different disciplines represented here.