Born1519 to powerful Medici family of Italy Orphan as a child Raised in a convent where she learned Latin and Greek Married at age 14 to Duke Henry II of Orleans the future King of France ID: 170625
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Ballet HistorySlide2
Born1519 to powerful Medici family of Italy
Orphan as a child
Raised in a convent where she learned Latin and Greek. Married at age 14 to Duke Henry II of Orleans, the future King of France.
Brought the delights of ice cream, artichokes, cosmetics and ballet to France
The BeginningCatherine MediciSlide3
1
st
ballet; performed in France Created
for wedding of Catherine Medici’s sister
“comique” refers to “drama” 10,000 ppl went; lasted 6 hrs. No stage; audience sat in galleries above performers. Elaborate costumes & scenery; set the model for royal court entertainment throughout Europe. Ballet Comique de la Reine (1581)Slide4
Danced
by nobles not professionals.
Court dances used geometric patterns. Costumes were typical of the era (ruffles, plumes, big skirts, etc….)
Men and boys played all roles including the roles of females.
The First BalletsSlide5
King of France; was a dancer and an influential patron of the arts.
Famous for role as the Sun King (Le Roi
Soleil). Instrumental in establishing dance as a profession for both men and women.
He favored themed ballets based on Greek myths with dancers portraying gods and goddesses.
King Louis the XIVSlide6
King Louis the XIVSlide7
E
stablished by King Louis the XIVFemales started being used for the female roles.
In 17th century, ballet performances started to be held in theatres instead of ballrooms and halls.
The King summoned Pierre Beauchamps to serve as ballet master for the
Academie Royale. Beauchamps also established the 5 positions of the feet. Academie Royale de la MusiqueSlide8
Pierre
Beauchamps
Slide9
The
Academie Royale de la Musique
became known as the Paris Opera Ballet in the next century The World’s oldest ballet company.
The Paris Opera produced the first prima ballerina: Mille de la Fontaine.
Claude “Jean” Balon was another famous dancer during this era. Known for his huge jumps.Paris Opera BalletSlide10
Dancers expanded their technique by adding beats, turns, and leg extensions.
Ballet themes moved from mythological to realistic with humanistic elements.
Ballet in the late 18
th
CenturySlide11
Female dancers took on the leading roles, and appeared as fairies.
They would rise onto the tips of their toes, enhancing the ballerinas’ fairy-like quality.
Romantic
Era Ballet Slide12
Famous ballerina during Romantic period.
Danced with the Paris Opera Ballet.
Most known for her work on the ballet: La Sylphide.
Transformed ballet with her use of pointe shoes.
Became so famous that fans bought a pair of her pointe shoes & then put them into a sauce, which they ate.Marie Taglioni Slide13
A two act form (1
st act, intermission, 2nd act)
A plot centered on love or a love triangle Dramatic action of characters, characters were both realistic and fantastic (not fantastic as in Ms.
Eveler but as in fantasy or fairytale or fake) Characters supported by a chorus (called corps de ballet)
Music supported the setting of the mood Typical costumes for females incorporated wings, long flowing skirts, and pointe shoes. Famous ballets of this era were La Sylphide, Giselle, Pas de Quatre.Elements of Romantic Era BalletSlide14
Occurred in last half of the 19
th century in Russia
Although born in France, Marius Petipa danced with Russian Ballet & quickly became a famous dancer and choreographer in St. Petersburg, Italy.
His famous ballets include: Don Quixote, La
Bayadere, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Swan Lake. Enrico Cechetti, also Italian, worked under Petipa and is known for the development of a daily ballet curriculum as he created a logical progression of class exercises (ballet barre & center work where 1 step leads to another). The Classical Ballet EraSlide15
A hierarchy of dancers, character dances
A grande
pas de deux. The ballerina and other female dancers used tutus
Men used tunics, peasant shirts and vestsFamous classical ballets include:
Coppelia, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake. Elements of Classical Ballet Slide16
Modern Day Pointe Shoes Slide17
Ballet Company Dancer Rankings
Tutus for dancers vary depending on their level & their role. The more advanced dancers have shorter, more firm tutus that aren’t necessarily made of
tule
. Corps de ballet
– lowest rank in a company; mostly females; many stay at this level their entire career Character artists – Corps dancers who perform roles with a lot of acting as well as dancing Soloist – perform solos; often understudy principal dancer; occasionally perform principal role when principal can’t; some companies have senior or 1st soloist rankings;Prinicipal dancer – star of company; leading roles; as many men as women prinicipals; sometimes perform with other companies as guest artists