Classical Ballet Dances
The Classical Period of Ballet
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Knowledge yourself on the classical ballet dances. Learn about the classical period of ballet!
During 1870-1909 it is regarded as be the classical period of ballet. All the ballets that were created during this period have a similar content and they all consisted of Love, big Pas de Deux sections and beautiful costumes. Here are some of the names of ballets from the classical period -
These ballet productions were all choreographed by Petipa; with Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Nutcracker being Tchaikovsky ballets.
Sleeping Beauty Ballet tells the story of a beautiful princess called Aurora. Aurora has been cursed by an wicked fairy and falls asleep for a hundred years. The only way she can be woken is with a true loves kiss. Swan Lake tells the story of a beautiful young lady called Odette. An evil magician has turned Odette into a white swan. The only way she can be saved is if a man truly promises that he loves her. Back in the classical period, the only way for the dancers to learn the material of these ballets were from the older dancers. The material was passed down from generation to generation - there were no video phones or benesh notation to remember the steps with. There are many variations and different versions of the choreography in these ballets, each company may do it slightly different. With each classical ballet you see, you will notice there are certain features which you recognize. Typically by Petitpa, these are the main features to a classical ballet production -
Classical Ballet Vocabulary
You will always be able to spot classical ballet moves, all the choreography will be made up of ballet steps.
Ballet has a formula
There will always be a twist in the story with a good character and a bad character Principal Roles
The principal roles are always given to the best dancers in the company. The principal dancers always have the most complex ballet vocabulary Corps de Ballet
The corps de ballet have a small role in comparison to the principal roles; however their job is vital because they create the formations, the patterns, the lines.... they frame the stage. Classical Mime
The dancers tell the story through mime  What Ruins Most Dancers?Most trainee dancers ultimately fail... WHY? Find out from Odette for free... | Fantasy Characters
In Swan Lake, an example of a fantasy characters is the Swan - Odette. Divertissement
This shows off the skills of the dancers even though it isn't necessarily relevant to the story. Virtuosity
This will be the amazing big ballet moves such as fouttés, grand leaps Bows or Curtseys during the middle of the performance
After every solo or pas de deux, the dancers give a quick bow and the audience applaud to show their appreciation. Grand Pas De Deux
This will consist of an Adage (or a section with slower movement quality), Male Solo, Female Solo and finally a Coda. Music and Dance have climax simultaneously
The orchestra end together with the dancers at the same moment.
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