Romanticism

Ballet… Continues to develop and remain popular New Conventions: Pointe shoes become popular (defying gravity) Skirts/tutus get shorter to show the more complicated steps that are developing

Star Ballerinas become the fashion… Maria Taglioni (1804 – 1884) 1st to excel en pointe Establishes the bell-shaped tutu as the norm Originates the title role of La Sylphide (one if the first Romantic ballets) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw4zPn59eiI&feature=related (55:00) Paris, 2004

Star Ballerinas become the fashion… Fanny Elssler (1810 – 1899) Perfects the art of character dancing (acting & dancing)

Star Ballerinas become the fashion… Fanny Cerrito (1817-1909) Known as a dancer AND choreographer Dances the pas de quatre with other ballerinas of the day Studies technique with Carlo Blasis

Star Ballerinas become the fashion… Lucile Grahn ( 1819-1899 Was a dancer & ballet producer Danced the Pas de quatre

Star Ballerinas become the fashion… Carlotta Grisi (1819-1899) Originates the role of Giselle Dances in the pas de quatre http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HjfYNr_31w&feature=related (London, Royal Ballet, 2007)

Code of Terpsichore 1830 Carlo Blasis (dancer, teacher, choreographer) writes this handbook for the teaching of ballet It is still in use today, without many changes Originates the “attitude” position Teaches at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy

Social Dances 18th – 19th Century… English Regency Period (1811 – 1820, Jane Austen – pre-Victorian era) Group social dances done in groups of couples formal footwork combinations of skipping, turning, & jumping

Social Dances 18th – 19th century dances Popular titles: Quadrille Polonaise Scotch Reel

Social Dances Mid 19th century… English Victorian Era Polka craze of 1844!!– we usually think of this as a German thing, but is was found all across Western Europe

Social Dances Mid 19th century… English Victorian Era Popular dances: Polka Two step Waltz

Social Dance Mid 19th century… The waltz!! Originates in Vienna Involves sliding or gliding Couples held each other so tight their faces were often touching Later, it develops to have versions performed in 3/4 or 6/8 (sauteuse), and 5/4 time (5/4 waltz, half and half)

Social Dance Late 19th century – early 20th century… Popular dances: Large group dancing loses general popularity New sounds change dance (ragtime) Popular dances: Cakewalk Krakowiak Mazurka Waltz popularity keep on growing!!!

Waltz popularity keep on growing!!! Social Dance Late 19th century – early 20th century… Popular dances: Cakewalk Krakowiak Mazurka Waltz popularity keep on growing!!!

Romantic Theatre Central beliefs: There is a higher truth than the physical (the spiritual ) The less sophisticated the person… the more “pure” he/she is The physical side of a person is often at odds with the spiritual One can only become a superior human being when one is in touch with the artist or philosopher in ourselves

German Romantic Theatre Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) Writes Faust, parts 1 (1808) & 2 (1831) It is significant because it’s a turn away from the standard Faust which is usually a morality tale His Faust becomes a musical work and an opera for many of the best composers of the time

French Romantic Theatre Literary works are translated for the stage: Victor Hugo’s Cromwell, Dumas’ 3 Muskateers and The Count of Monte Cristo Edmond Rostand’s play, Cyrano de Bergerac

Melodrama melody + drama Conventions… Uses background music to heighten the emotional impact of a scene on the audience (lyrical music = love scene/ominous music – danger) Use big, detailed scenery Simplified characters (good or evil) Stock characters with little character development Actors use exaggerated movements & poses Frantic chase scenes, duels, fights, etc. Working –class audiences grow because of the added emotional appeals

Melodrama stock characters… Villain Hero Villain’s sidekick Damsel in distress

Theatre Spaces… the giant Auditorium! As interest increases, theatres are built with more and more capacity (2000+) in the proscenium style Seats change from wooden benches to comfy, individual chairs Sets are more elaborate (need to be seen) Acting style is much more deliberate so that the voices project to everyone Everything becomes more historically accurate Technology develops… hydraulic lifts are built into the stage floor – gas lighting is used and can be controlled

The Auditorium Theatre, Chicago (opened 1889)

Teatro La Scala, Milan (opened 1778)

The Drury Lane Theatre, London (a. k. a The Drury Lane Theatre, London (a.k.a. the Royal Theatre) (original built in 1663, current space built 1812)