Ballet 49733 225764401 2008-07-15T08:25:30Z Sephiroth BCR 621952 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/72.77.252.97|72.77.252.97]] to last version by 90.218.105.89 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{otheruses}} {{seealso|Category:Ballet}} [[Image:Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas 005.jpg|275px|thumb|Painting of ballet dancers by [[Edgar Degas]], 1872.]] {{Ballet}} '''Ballet''' is a formalized form of [[dance]] with its origins in the [[Italian Renaissance]] court, further developed in [[France]] and [[Russia]] as a [[concert dance]] form. It is a highly [[ballet technique|technical form of dance]] with its own [[Glossary of ballet|vocabulary]]. It has been influential as a form of dance globally and is taught in [[dance school|ballet school]]s around the world which use their own culture and society to modernize the art. Ballet dance works (ballets) are [[choreography|choreographed]], and also include [[Mime artist|mime]], [[acting]], and are set to [[ballet (music)|music]] (usually [[orchestral]] but occasionally [[singing|vocal]]). It is best known in the form of [[classical ballet]], notable for its techniques, such as [[en pointe|pointe work]] and [[turnout (ballet)|turn-out of the legs]], its graceful, flowing, precise movements, and its ethereal qualities. Later developments include [[neoclassical ballet]] and [[contemporary ballet]]. The [[etymology]] of the word "ballet" is related to the art form's history. The word ''ballet'' comes from the[[French language|French]] and was borrowed into English around the 17th century. The French word in turn has its origins in [[Italian language|Italian]] ''balletto'', a [[diminutive]] of ''ballo'' (dance). ''Ballet'' ultimately traces back to [[Latin]] ''ballare'', meaning to dance.<ref>Chantrell (2002), p. 42.</ref> ==History of ballet== {{Main|History of ballet}} Ballet emerged in late 15 century [[Renaissance]] court of [[Italy]], as a dance interpretation of fencing, and further developed in the [[French court]] from the time of [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]] in the 17th century. This is reflected in the French vocabulary of ballet. Subsequently, after 1850, ballet flourished in [[Denmark]] and [[Russia]]. It was from Russia that it returned to Western Europe and subsequently the globe. The [[Ballets Russes]] of [[Sergei Diaghilev]] and its successors were particularly influential during this period. It has continued to draw on and be enriched by [[folk dance]] and local dance traditions. In the 20th century ballet has continued to develop and has had a strong influence on broader concert dance. For example, in the [[United States]], choreographer [[George Balanchine]] developed what is now known as [[neoclassical ballet]]. Subsequent developments have included [[contemporary ballet]] and [[post-structuralism|post- structural]] ballet, seen in the work of [[William Forsythe (dancer)| William Forsythe]] in Germany. ==Classical ballet== {{Main|Classical ballet}} Classical ballet is the most formal of the ballet styles; it adheres to traditional [[ballet technique]]. There are variations relating to area of origin, such as [[Russian ballet]], [[French ballet]], and Italian ballet. The five most well-known styles of ballet are the [[Vaganova method]], or Russian Method, after [[Agrippina Vaganova]], the [[Cecchetti method]], or Italian Method, after [[Enrico Cecchetti]], the Bournonville Method, or Danish Method, after August Bournonville, the Balanchine Method, or ABT Method, after George Balanchine, and the Royal Academy of Dance Method, or R.A.D. Method, created in England. ==Neoclassical ballet== {{Main|Neoclassical ballet}} [[Image:New York State Theater by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|[[New York State Theater]], home of the [[New York City Ballet]]]] [[Neoclassical ballet]] is a ballet style that uses traditional ballet vocabulary, but is less rigid than the classical ballet. For example, dancers often dance at more extreme tempos and perform more technical feats. Spacing in neoclassical ballet is usually more modern or complex than in classical ballet. Although organization in neoclassical ballet is more varied, the focus on structure is a defining characteristic of neoclassical ballet. It is the style of 20th century classical ballet exemplified by the works of George Balanchine. It draws on the advanced technique of 19th century Russian Imperial dance, but strips it of its detailed narrative and heavy theatrical setting. Balanchine used flexed hands (and occasionally feet), turned-in legs, off-centered positions and non-classical costumes (such as leotards and tunics instead of tutus) to distance himself from the classical and romantic ballet traditions. What is left is the dance itself, sophisticated but sleekly modern, retaining the pointe shoe aesthetic, but eschewing the well upholstered drama and mime of the full length story ballet. Balanchine also brought modern dancers in to dance with his company, the [[New York City Ballet]]; one such dancer was [[Paul Taylor]], who in 1959 performed in Balanchine's piece ''Episodes''. Balanchine also worked with modern dance choreographer [[Martha Graham]], expanding his exposure to modern techniques and ideas. Also during this period, choreographers such as John Butler and Glen Tetley began to consciously combine ballet and modern techniques in experimentation. Tim Scholl, author of ''From Petipa to Balanchine'', considers [[George Balanchine]]'s ''Apollo'' in 1928 to be the first neoclassical ballet. ''Apollo'' represented a return to form in response to [[Serge Diaghilev]]'s abstract ballets. ==Contemporary ballet== {{Main|Contemporary ballet}} '''Contemporary ballet''' is a form of dance influenced by both [[classical ballet]] and [[modern dance]]. It takes its technique and use of pointe work from classical ballet, although it permits a greater range of movement that may not adhere to the strict body lines set forth by schools of ballet technique. Many of its concepts come from the ideas and innovations of 20th century [[modern dance]], including floor work and turn-in of the legs. [[George Balanchine]] is often considered to have been the first pioneer of contemporary ballet through the development of ''neoclassical ballet''. One dancer who danced briefly for Balanchine was Mikhail Baryshnikov, an exemplar of Kirov Ballet training. Following Baryshnikov's appointment as artistic director of [[American Ballet Theatre]] in 1980, he worked with various modern choreographers, most notably [[Twyla Tharp]]. Tharp choreographed ''Push Comes To Shove'' for ABT and Baryshnikov in 1976; in 1986 she created ''In The Upper Room'' for her own company. Both these pieces were considered innovative for their use of distinctly modern movements melded with the use of pointe shoes and classically-trained dancers -- for their use of "contemporary ballet". Tharp also worked with the [[Joffrey Ballet]] company, founded in 1957 by [[Robert Joffrey]]. She choreographed ''Deuce Coupe'' for them in 1973, using pop music and a blend of modern and ballet techniques. The Joffrey Ballet continued to perform numerous contemporary pieces, many choreographed by co-founder [[Gerald Arpino]]. Today there are many explicitly contemporary ballet companies and choreographers. These include [[Alonzo King]] and his company, [[Alonzo King's Lines Ballet]]; Nacho Duato and Compañia Nacional de Danza; William Forsythe, who has worked extensively with the Frankfurt Ballet and today runs [[The Forsythe Company]]; and [[Jiří Kylián]], currently the artistic director of the [[Nederlands Dans Theatre]]. Traditionally "classical" companies, such as the [[Kirov Ballet]] and the Paris Opera Ballet, also regularly perform contemporary works. ==See also== *[[The Sergeyev Collection]] *Ballet styles **[[Ballet d'action]] **[[Classical ballet]] **[[Contemporary ballet]] **[[Neoclassical ballet]] **[[Pre-romantic ballet]] **[[Romantic ballet]] *[[Ballet technique]] **[[French ballet]] **Russian [[Vaganova method]] **Italian [[Cecchetti method]] *[[En pointe]] *[[Glossary of ballet]] *[[Ballet (music)]] *[[Ballet company]] *[[Ballet tutu]] *[[Health risks of professional dancers]] ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==References== *{{cite book |last=Anderson |first=Jack |title=Ballet & Modern Dance: A Concise History |edition=2nd ed. |year=1992 |publisher=Princeton Book Company, Publishers |location=Princeton, NJ |isbn=0-87127-172-9}} *{{cite book |last=Bland |first=Alexander |authorlink=Alexander Bland |title=A History of Ballet and Dance in the Western World |year=1976 |publisher=Praeger Publishers |location=New York |id=ISBN 0-275-53740-4}} *{{cite book |editor=Chantrell, Glynnis |title=The Oxford Essential Dictionary of Word Histories |date=2002 |publisher=Berkley Books |location=New York |isbn=0-425-19098-6}} *{{cite book |last=Kirstein |first=Lincoln |authorlink=Lincoln Kirstein |coauthors=[[Muriel Stuart|Stuart, Muriel]] |title=The Classic Ballet |year=1952 |publisher=Alfred A Knopf |location=New York |id=}} *{{cite book |last=Lee |first=Carol |authorlink=Carol Lee |title=Ballet In Western Culture: A History of its Origins and Evolution |year=2002 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |isbn=0-415-94256X}} *{{cite book |last= Gordon |first= Suzanne |authorlink= Suzanne Gordon |title= Off Balance: The Real World of Ballet |year= 1984 |publisher= McGraw-Hill |location= |id= ISBN 0-07-023770-0}} *The Bournonville School The DVD, The Dance Programme, The Music. Copenhagen: The Royal Danish Theatre, 2005.2 discs. 225 pp. 139 pp. Illustrated. Hardcover, http://www.kgl-teater.dk, http://www.dancebooks.co.uk ==External links== *[http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/index.html American Ballet Theatre: Ballet Terms Dictionary] *[http://www.ballet.org.uk www.ballet.org.uk] *[http://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/ballet.html The History of Ballet Shoes] *[http://web.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/dance/dance_physics.html Physics of Dance] {{commonscat|Ballet}} {{Portal|Ballet}} [[Category:Dance]] {{Link FA|hr}} [[af:Ballet]] [[ar:باليه]] [[az:Balet]] [[bn:ব্যালে]] [[bs:Balet]] [[br:Barrez]] [[bg:Балет]] [[ca:Ballet]] [[cv:Балет]] [[cs:Balet]] [[da:Ballet]] [[de:Ballett]] [[et:Ballett]] [[es:Ballet]] [[eo:Baleto]] [[eu:Balet]] [[fa:رقص باله]] [[fr:Ballet]] [[fy:Ballet]] [[gl:Balé]] [[ko:발레]] [[hy:Բալետ]] [[hr:Balet]] [[id:Balet]] [[it:Balletto]] [[he:בלט]] [[ka:ბალეტი]] [[lv:Balets]] [[lt:Baletas]] [[hu:Balett]] [[nl:Ballet]] [[ja:バレエ]] [[no:Ballett]] [[nn:Ballett]] [[pl:Balet]] [[pt:Balé]] [[ru:Балет]] [[simple:Ballet]] [[sk:Balet]] [[sl:Balet]] [[sr:Балет]] [[sh:Balet]] [[fi:Baletti]] [[sv:Balett]] [[tt:Балет]] [[vi:Kịch múa]] [[tr:Bale]] [[uk:Балет]] [[zh:芭蕾舞]]