So you want to be a ballerina?
A short history of ballet
Ballet (French: [balɛ]) is a type of performance
dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth
century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and
Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical form of
dance with its own vocabulary. Ballet has been influential globally
and has defined the foundational techniques which are used in many
other dance genres and cultures. Various schools around the world have
incorporated their own cultures. As a result, ballet has evolved in
distinct ways.
A ballet as a unified work comprises the choreography and music for a
ballet production. Ballets are choreographed and performed by
trained ballet dancers. Traditional classical ballets are usually
performed with classical music accompaniment and using elaborate
costumes and staging, whereas modern ballets are often performed in
simple costumes and without elaborate sets or scenery.
Styles
Stylistic variations and subgenres have evolved over time. Early, classical variations are primarily associated with geographic origin. Examples of this are Russian ballet, French ballet, and Italian ballet. Later variations, such as contemporary ballet and neoclassical ballet, incorporate both classical ballet and non-traditional technique and movement. Perhaps the most widely known and performed ballet style is late Romantic ballet (or Ballet blanc).
Classical Ballet
Classical ballet is based on traditional ballet and because ballet became formalized in France, a significant part of ballet terminology is in the French language. Some examples of classical ballet productions are: Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.
Romantic Ballet
Romantic ballet was an artistic movement of classical ballet and several productions remain in the classical repertoire today. The Romantic era was marked by the emergence of pointe work, the dominance of female dancers, and longer, flowy tutus that attempt to exemplify softness and a delicate aura. This movement occurred during the early to mid-nineteenth century (the Romantic era) and featured themes that emphasized intense emotion as a source of aesthetic experience.
Neoclassical ballet
Neoclassical ballet is usually abstract, with no clear plot,
costumes or scenery. Music choice can be diverse and will often
include music that is also neoclassical (e.g. Stravinsky, Roussel).
Another form, Modern Ballet, also emerged as an offshoot of
neoclassicism. While difficult to parse modern ballet from
neoclassicism, the work of these choreographers favored a greater
athleticism that departed from the delicacy of ballet. The
physicality was more daring, with mood, subject matter and music
more intense.
Contemporary ballet
This ballet style is often performed barefoot. Contemporary ballets may include mime and acting, and are usually set to music (typically orchestral but occasionally vocal). The term ballet has evolved to include all forms associated with it. Someone training as a ballet dancer will now be expected to perform neoclassical, modern and contemporary work. A ballet dancer is expected to be able to be stately and regal for classical work, free and lyrical in neoclassical work, and unassuming, harsh or pedestrian for modern and contemporary work.
Our Classes
We offer ballet classes to both adults and kids and no prior experience is required. If ballet sounds like something you'd like to try, then come along to one of our open days. For more information about our upcoming classes and to register, please click the button below and a member of our team will reach out to about next steps, shotly.
Coded by Raluca Florea