Assignmenterino

Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread, highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary based on French terminology. It has been globally influential and has defined the foundational techniques used in many other dance genres. Ballet requires years of training to learn and master, and much practice to retain proficiency. It has been taught in ballet schools around the world, which have historically used their own cultures to evolve the art. Ballet dance works are choreographed and performed by trained artists. Many classical ballet works are performed with classical music accompaniment and are theatrical and use elaborate costumes and staging, though there are exceptions to this, such as works by George Balanchine.

George Balanchine,
contemporary ballet pioneer.

History Of Ballet

King Louis XIV in Ballet de la nuit, 1653.

Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century. Noblemen and women were treated to lavish events, especially wedding celebrations, where dancing and music created an elaborate spectacle. Dancing masters taught the steps to the nobility, and the court participated in the performances. In the 16th century, Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman, wife of King Henry II of France and a great patron of the arts, began to fund ballet in the French court. Her elaborate festivals encouraged the growth of ballet de cour, a program that included dance, decor, costume, song, music and poetry. A century later, King Louis XIV helped to popularize and standardize the art form. A passionate dancer, he danced many roles himself, including that of the Sun King in Ballet de la nuit. His love of ballet fostered its elevation from a past time for amateurs to an endeavor requiring professional training.

Ballerina

Pierina Legnani (left) and Olga Preobrajenskaya (right)

Traditions within ballet gender the titles given to men and women performing as ballet dancers. In French, a male dancer is referred to as a danseur, a female as a danseuse. In Italian, a ballerina is a title used to describe a woman who is a professional ballet dancer, usually holding a principal title within a ballet company; the masculine equivalent to this title is ballerino. In Italian, the common term for a male dancer is danzatore, while a female is referred to as a danzatrice. In English, a girl who studies ballet is a ballet student. Women who dance in professional classical ballet companies are referred to as ballet dancers. The term ballerina is rarely used and is reserved to denote a well-trained and highly accomplished female classical ballet dancer. It is, therefore, a critical accolade. The term ballerina is not dissimilar from the opera term diva, in that it signifies exceptional talent, accomplishment, and awe-inspiring performance.

Anna Pavlova in Giselle, wearing a Romantic tutu

Anna Pavlovna (Matveyevna) Pavlova (February 12, 1881 – January 23, 1931) was a Russian prima ballerina of the late 19th and the early 20th centuries. She was a principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Ballets Russes of Sergei Diaghilev. Pavlova is most recognized for the creation of the role The Dying Swan and, with her own company, became the first ballerina to tour ballet around the world.

Styles

Classical ballet
Classical ballet is a traditional, formal style of ballet that adheres to classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as pointe work, turn-out of the legs, and high extensions), its graceful, flowing, and precise movements, and its ethereal qualities.
There are stylistic variations related to area of origin, which are denoted by classifications such as Russian ballet, French ballet, British ballet and Italian ballet. For example, Russian ballet features high extensions and dynamic turns, whereas Italian ballet tends to be more grounded, with a focus on fast, intricate footwork. Many of the stylistic variations are associated with specific training methods that have been named after their originators. Despite the variations, the performance and movement vocabulary of classical ballet are largely consistent throughout the world.

Neoclassical ballet
Neoclassical ballet is the style of 20th century classical ballet exemplified by the works of George Balanchine. The term "Neoclassical Ballet" appears in 1920s with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, in response to the excesses of romanticism and modernity. It draws on the advanced technique of 19th century Russian Imperial dance, but strips it of its detailed narrative and heavy theatrical setting. What is left is the dance itself, sophisticated but sleekly modern, retaining the pointe shoe aesthetic, but eschewing the well upholstered drama and mime of the full length story ballet

Contemporary ballet
Contemporary ballet is a genre of dance that incorporates elements of classical ballet and modern dance. It employs classical ballet technique and in many cases classical pointe technique as well, but it allows a greater range of movement and may deviate from the strict body lines and forms found in traditional, classical ballet. Many of its attributes come from the ideas and innovations of 20th century modern dance, including floorwork, balletic movements and turn-in of the legs.