Pronounced ball-ay without sounding the "t", ballet isn't just about movement although the word itself means "dance". It's about moving in a way that highlights elegance, grace and beauty. It's about long extended lines and precise arm and leg placement. Taught across the world in formal ballet schools, and informal school gyms, ballet is a highly technical art form that even has its own vocabulary.
In one respect ballet does conform to other dance styles, and that is that all ballets need choreography. However, in order to be a ballet, the choreography doesn't just include dance, but also drama acting and mime. Classical music also plays a role in most ballets but vocal music can also be used.
In the 1600's, ballet first emerged and it was performed in Renaissance Italy. In 1661, France opened the very first ballet school. Ballet soon developed more in France when King Louis XIV was impressed by the costumes and the dancing. He played a vital role in ballet, which lead to the french vocabulary we know of today. The french vocabulary was kept but ballet spread throughout Europe. During this era, men were only allowed to perform ballet. Women began to perform ballet in 1681.
Until the 1790s ballet dancers were all-round performers who would sing, dance and even recite poetry. Many of the ballet steps still used today can trace their history back to that period in France, and most of them have retained their French names.
Modern ballet centralizes around 5 basic positions, and this too dates back to Seventeenth century France when a choreographer called Pierre Beauchamp created them. Mastering these basic positions is pivotal to developing the balance and posture required to become a good ballet dancer.
Ballet is a worldwide passion. With major international ballet schools in Moscow, New York and London, most other countries around the globe have their own lesser known ballet schools. Ballet is also taught in dance studios, and school gyms. Those who have their sights set on ballerina status however hope one day to train at one of the world famous international schools.
Female dancers who dance on their toes with the use of specially made shoes are known as ballerinas. Although they train for years to get the balance and strength to be able to control their weight distribution, it's their shoes with foam or lamb's wool cushioning that help them achieve their graceful fluid movements. Dancing "En Pointe" isn't something that every female ballet dancer will be capable of doing, but those who can earn their title of ballerina by the dedication they put into being able to achieve the difficult balance steps.
Most ballerinas will wear a tutu on stage. These skirts, whether short or long, will allow the ballerina to look as though she is floating as she dances her way across the stage.
Men who are ballet dancers are known as danseurs. Although they don't need to have the strength and balance to dance "En Pointe" they do need to be in peak physical condition because male ballet dancers are required to lift ballerinas around the stage during a ballet performance.
Ballet is still as popular today as it once was in Europe. Watching a ballet is something everyone should witness. - 16887
In one respect ballet does conform to other dance styles, and that is that all ballets need choreography. However, in order to be a ballet, the choreography doesn't just include dance, but also drama acting and mime. Classical music also plays a role in most ballets but vocal music can also be used.
In the 1600's, ballet first emerged and it was performed in Renaissance Italy. In 1661, France opened the very first ballet school. Ballet soon developed more in France when King Louis XIV was impressed by the costumes and the dancing. He played a vital role in ballet, which lead to the french vocabulary we know of today. The french vocabulary was kept but ballet spread throughout Europe. During this era, men were only allowed to perform ballet. Women began to perform ballet in 1681.
Until the 1790s ballet dancers were all-round performers who would sing, dance and even recite poetry. Many of the ballet steps still used today can trace their history back to that period in France, and most of them have retained their French names.
Modern ballet centralizes around 5 basic positions, and this too dates back to Seventeenth century France when a choreographer called Pierre Beauchamp created them. Mastering these basic positions is pivotal to developing the balance and posture required to become a good ballet dancer.
Ballet is a worldwide passion. With major international ballet schools in Moscow, New York and London, most other countries around the globe have their own lesser known ballet schools. Ballet is also taught in dance studios, and school gyms. Those who have their sights set on ballerina status however hope one day to train at one of the world famous international schools.
Female dancers who dance on their toes with the use of specially made shoes are known as ballerinas. Although they train for years to get the balance and strength to be able to control their weight distribution, it's their shoes with foam or lamb's wool cushioning that help them achieve their graceful fluid movements. Dancing "En Pointe" isn't something that every female ballet dancer will be capable of doing, but those who can earn their title of ballerina by the dedication they put into being able to achieve the difficult balance steps.
Most ballerinas will wear a tutu on stage. These skirts, whether short or long, will allow the ballerina to look as though she is floating as she dances her way across the stage.
Men who are ballet dancers are known as danseurs. Although they don't need to have the strength and balance to dance "En Pointe" they do need to be in peak physical condition because male ballet dancers are required to lift ballerinas around the stage during a ballet performance.
Ballet is still as popular today as it once was in Europe. Watching a ballet is something everyone should witness. - 16887
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