1. Ballet of the Romantic Era History of Ballet Culture and Development

2. Ballet Beginnings Emerged in 15 th century Renaissance courts of Italy as a dance interpretation of fencing Further developed in the French courts from the time of Louis XIV in the 17 th century Reflected in French Vocabulary of Ballet The Ballet Comique de la Reine – considered to be the first Ballet Brought to France by Catherine de Medicis who came from the Italian royal family and became the French queen

3. Ballet Beginnings

4. Lingo and Technique  Turn out  5 Positions  Pointe  Plié  Relevé  Tendu  Jumps  Passé  Pirouette

5. Classical (1660 – 1830) King Louis XIV established the first Royal Academy of Dance Wore masks, wigs or large headdresses, heeled shoes, corsets, and hoopskirts Two French dancers shortened their skirts and adopted heelless slippers to display sparkling jumps and beats – discarded their corsets and put on Greek robes to dance in Pygmalion Very male dominated until the Romantic era French developed ballet that portrayed story with just movement and expression Other ballet companies begin to develop, most notably the Russian Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg Began developing technique (jumps, leaps, pirouettes), toe dancing (dancers stood on their toes for moment or two)

6. Classical

7. Romantic (1830 – 1900) Introduced with La Sylphide in ParisLa Sylphide Emphasis on otherworldly beings Pointe shoes – floating White tutu – otherworldly Dominated by Women (Cult of the Ballerina) Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Faust (The Ballet!)Giselle Grandeur of Parisian ballet spread to other parts of Europe Denmark Russia – greatest integrity of Ballet during Romantic period New stage effects such as lighting and wires allowed for supernatural spectacles Coppélia – last Romantic Ballet Supernatural 1 st act – earthly 2 nd act – spiritual world

8. Romantic

9. Neoclassical Ballet (1900 – 1960s)  Used classical technique and positions  More expansive, expressive  Pushed classical boundaries  Wider, more modern spacings

10. Neoclassical

11. Contemporary (1900s)  Basic ballet structure  Utilizes many elements of modern Turn in of the legs Floor work Greater range of movement

12. Contemporary