Etymology and History of Ballet
– Ballet is a French word derived from the Italian word ‘balletto,’ which means dance.
– The word ‘ballet’ originated from the Latin word ‘ballo,’ which means to dance.
– ‘Ballo’ comes from the Greek word ‘ballizo,’ which also means to dance or jump about.
– The English usage of the word ‘ballet’ came from the French language around 1630.
– Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
– It spread to France under the influence of Catherine de Medici and continued to develop.
– Early ballets were performed by noble amateurs in ornate costumes, but later evolved to include professional dancers.
– The introduction of the proscenium arch in 1618 improved the viewing experience for the audience.
– King Louis XIV played a significant role in the development of ballet and established the Académie Royale de Danse.
Styles of Ballet
– Ballet has various stylistic variations and subgenres that have evolved over time.
– Examples of classical ballet styles include French ballet, Italian ballet, English ballet, and Russian ballet.
– Contemporary ballet and neoclassical ballet incorporate both classical ballet and non-traditional techniques.
– Late Romantic ballet, also known as Ballet blanc, is one of the most widely known and performed ballet styles.
– Ballet has influenced other dance genres and led to modernist movements in several countries.
Classical Ballet and its Methods
– Classical ballet is based on traditional ballet technique and vocabulary.
– Different countries have developed their own classical ballet styles, such as French, Italian, English, and Russian ballet.
– The Royal Academy of Dance method is a recognized international ballet technique.
– Classical ballet productions include famous works like Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker.
– Classical ballet is associated with specific training methods named after their creators.
– Six widely used methods of ballet instruction: French School, Vaganova Method, Cecchetti Method, Bournonville method, Royal Academy of Dance method, Balanchine method.
Ballet Costumes through History
– Early ballet costumes were heavy and hindered dancers’ movements.
– Ballet costumes play an important role in the ballet community.
– Materials used for costumes have evolved over time, from cotton and silk to semitransparent gauze.
– Renaissance and Baroque periods saw the beginnings of ballet costumes, with court wear as the inspiration.
– Fabrics were woven into semitransparent gauze for ballet costumes.
– Designs and fabrics became more spectacular in the 17th and 18th centuries, with opulent feminine styles and elaborate decorations.
– In the 19th century, ballet costumes became tighter, more revealing, and emphasized the ballerina’s curves.
– In the 20th century, Russian ballet had a significant impact on ballet costumes, with knee-length tutus and vibrant colors.
Ballet as a Career and Health Effects
– Professional ballet dancers are generally not well paid, with American dancers earning an average of US$19 per hour in 2020.
– Job outlook for ballet dancers is not strong, with intense competition for job openings.
– Most ballet jobs involve teaching in private dance schools, and choreographers are paid better than dancers.
– Ballet dancers face various health risks due to the physical demands of their profession, including stress fractures, ankle impingement syndrome, eating disorders, and lower bone mineral density in the arms.
– Ballet has faced criticism for its gender dynamics, exploitation of women’s bodies, and male-dominated choreography and direction. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballet
Ballet (French: [balɛ]) is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary. Ballet has been influential globally and has defined the foundational techniques which are used in many other dance genres and cultures. Various schools around the world have incorporated their own cultures. As a result, ballet has evolved in distinct ways.
A ballet as a unified work comprises the choreography and music for a ballet production. Ballets are choreographed and performed by trained ballet dancers. Traditional classical ballets are usually performed with classical music accompaniment and use elaborate costumes and staging, whereas modern ballets are often performed in simple costumes and without elaborate sets or scenery.
