Classical ballet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
Image:Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas 005.jpg
Painting of ballet dancers by Edgar Degas, 1872.
Classical Ballet is the most formal of the ballet styles, it adheres to traditional ballet technique. There are variations relating to area of origin, such as Russian ballet, French ballet and Italian ballet. The two methods Vaganova method after Agrippina Vaganova and the Cecchetti method after Enrico Cecchetti are Russian and Italian respectively and derive from the original French method. Classical ballet is best known for its unique features and techniques, such as pointe work, turn-out of the legs, and high extensions; its graceful, flowing, precise movements; and its ethereal qualities.
History of BalletImage:DionysiusTheater.jpg
Theatre in ancient Greece.
Development as an art formThe 18th century was a period of vast advancement in the technical standards of ballet and the period when ballet became a serious dramatic art form on par with the opera. Central to this advance was the seminal work of Jean-Georges Noverre, Lettres sur la danse et les ballets (1760), which focused on developing the ballet d'action, in which the movements of the dancers are designed to express character and assist in the narrative. At this time, women played a secondary role as dancers, encumbered as they were with hoops, corsets, wigs and high heels. 
Reforms were made in ballet composition by composers such as Christoph Gluck. Finally, ballet was divided into three formal techniques sérieux, demi-caractère and comique. Ballet also began to be featured in operas as interludes called divertissements. The 19th century was a period of great social change, which was reflected in ballet by a shift away from the aristocratic sensibilities that had dominated earlier periods through romantic ballet. Ballerinas such as Marie Taglioni and Fanny Elssler pioneered new techniques such as pointework that rocketed the ballerina into prominence as the ideal stage figure, professional librettists began crafting the stories in ballets, and teachers like Carlo Blasis codified ballet technique in the basic form that is still used today. The ballet slipper was invented to support pointe work. Romanticism was a reaction against formal constraints and also of industrialization with the introduction of complex machinery and factories.[1] The zeitgeist led choreographers to compose romantic ballets that were light, airy and fae that would act as a contrast to the reductionist science that had, in the words of Poe, "driven the hamadryad from the woods". These "unreal" ballets portrayed women as fragile unearthly beings, delicate creatures who could be lifted effortlessly. Ballerinas began to wear romantic tutus, with pastel, flowing skirts that bared the shins. The stories revolved around uncanny, folkloric spirits. An example of one such romantic ballet is "La Sylphide",one of the oldest romantic ballets still danced today. TechniqueImage:MayaPlisetskaya.jpg
Dancers appear delicate and airy when dancing en pointe, a unique feature of the ballet form of dance.
Ballet, especially classical ballet, puts great emphasis on the method and execution of movement[2]. A distinctive feature of ballet is the outward rotation of the thighs from the hip. The foundation of the dance consists of five basic positions, all performed with the turnout. Young dancers receive a rigorous education in their school's method of dance, which begins when they are young and ends with graduation from high school. Students are required to learn the names, meanings, and precise technique of each movement they learn. Emphasis is put on building strength mostly in the lower body, particularly the legs, and the core (also called the center or the abdominals) as a strong core is necessary for many movements in ballet, especially turns, and on developing flexibility and strong feet for dancing en pointe. Training in Classical BalletThe typical ballet class attire includes pink, black, or flesh colored tights and a leotard (which can come in various colors and styles), with an optional short wrap-skirt (or tutu) for women, and tights along with a form-fitting shirt for men. The dancer wears soft technique shoes, often called flats through their classes. Once the foundation of basic technique has been laid, women begin to wear pointe shoes while men learn more advanced jumps and turns in soft shoes. The age at which dancers start pointe work varies from student to student. Strength is paramount in being able to wear pointe shoes for extended periods of time, however. Premature wearing of pointe shoes or insufficient training can result in serious injuries and/or disabilities in later life. StylesThere are seven styles of training in classical ballet, the most common being Vaganova method (Russian), Cecchetti method (Italian), Royal method (English), Royal Academy of Dance, and Balanchine method (American). The techniques found in classical ballet are a framework for many other styles of dance, including hip hop dance, modern ballet and contemporary ballet. MethodsBallet techniques are generally grouped by the area in which they originated, such as Russian ballet, French ballet and Italian ballet. The two methods Russian & Italian derived from the original French method are named after the ballet master or mistress who originated them, such as the Vaganova method after Agrippina Vaganova and the Cecchetti method after Enrico Cecchetti. Thereafter of course ballet spread to other parts of the world e.g., Danish Ballet, Imperial Ballet of UK, the American Balanchine method, the Australian Ballet and recently the National Ballet Academy & Trust set up in India. See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
ReferencesNotes
Sources
External links
es:Ballet clásico nl:Klassiek ballet ro:Balet clasic vi:Kịch múa tr:Klasik bale uk:Балет |
