Ballet - A Dance, An Art, A Culture!
There's a lot more to ballet than dance. It's a distinctly different kind of dancing that is instantly recognizable from other forms of dance. It's marked by graceful and elegant movements that are delivered in a precise manner that dates back hundreds of years. Ballet, meaning "to dance" is pronounced with a silent "t"; as in ball-ay, and it has not only a series of technical dance steps to master but also its own language.
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.
Ballet dancers were multi-performers. They didn't just dance, but they would also recite poetry and sing songs that they may have wrote themselves. Modern ballet contains the dance steps that were created in those early years, and most of these steps still have 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 ballet dancers are known as "ballerinas". Ballerinas perform dance movements that have to be executed with the use of their toes. This form of dancing is called "en pointe". A ballerina has to be 12 years of age before she can begin dancing en pointe. Ballerinas wear pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are cushioned with lambs wool or a foam pad. These shoes look like slippers. Ribbons are tied around the ankles and feet, so the shoes can be usable. The shoes are stiff and they have to be cushioned with soft fabric so the dancers do not injure themselves while performing.
In the beginning of ballet dancing, dancers wore dresses that were draped down to their ankles. Ballet attire has evolved and modern attire is elegant. For ballet performances, ballerinas wear skirts made of nylon which are called "tutus". Tutus add a floating effect while the ballerina dances gracefully on stage.
Danseurs are male ballet dancers and they never dance 'En Pointe'. As they are usually required to lift a ballerina during the ballets, danseurs have to have a great level of physical fitness.
Ballet is still as popular today as it once was in Europe. Watching a ballet is something everyone should witness. - 2361
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.
Ballet dancers were multi-performers. They didn't just dance, but they would also recite poetry and sing songs that they may have wrote themselves. Modern ballet contains the dance steps that were created in those early years, and most of these steps still have 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 ballet dancers are known as "ballerinas". Ballerinas perform dance movements that have to be executed with the use of their toes. This form of dancing is called "en pointe". A ballerina has to be 12 years of age before she can begin dancing en pointe. Ballerinas wear pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are cushioned with lambs wool or a foam pad. These shoes look like slippers. Ribbons are tied around the ankles and feet, so the shoes can be usable. The shoes are stiff and they have to be cushioned with soft fabric so the dancers do not injure themselves while performing.
In the beginning of ballet dancing, dancers wore dresses that were draped down to their ankles. Ballet attire has evolved and modern attire is elegant. For ballet performances, ballerinas wear skirts made of nylon which are called "tutus". Tutus add a floating effect while the ballerina dances gracefully on stage.
Danseurs are male ballet dancers and they never dance 'En Pointe'. As they are usually required to lift a ballerina during the ballets, danseurs have to have a great level of physical fitness.
Ballet is still as popular today as it once was in Europe. Watching a ballet is something everyone should witness. - 2361
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