Ballet

Ballet is a special kind of performance dance that began during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century. It later grew into a popular form of dance in France and Russia. Today, ballet is known all over the world and is performed by dancers who have trained for many years to master its movements.

A ballet is a complete work that includes both the choreography — the planned steps and movements — and the music. Skilled ballet dancers bring these creations to life on stage. Traditional classical ballets often feature beautiful classical music and fancy costumes and settings, while newer ballets might use simpler clothes and fewer decorations.

Ballet has influenced many other types of dance, and its techniques are used around the world. Different countries and cultures have added their own styles to ballet, making it a rich and varied art form that continues to inspire people everywhere.

Etymology

Ballet is a French word that started from the Italian word balletto, a smaller form of ballo (which means "dance"). This Italian word comes from Latin ballo, ballare, also meaning "to dance". It traces back to the Greek word "βαλλίζω" (ballizo), meaning "to dance, to jump about". The word ballet entered English usage from French around the year 1630.

In French, "ballet" can refer to a ballet performance, a ballet work, or the dance genre itself. Sometimes, the term danse classique is used to clearly describe the learning of this dance style.

History

Main articles: History of ballet and Timeline of ballet

Ballet began in the Italian Renaissance courts during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It grew under the influence of Catherine de' Medici in France, where noble amateurs performed in early court ballets. These dances were shown in large rooms with viewers on three sides. Later, a proscenium arch was added, helping audiences see the skilled dancers better.

The art of ballet reached its peak in France under King Louis XIV. He created the Académie Royale de Danse in 1661 to set dance standards. In 1672, he appointed Jean-Baptiste Lully to lead the Paris Opera, from which the first professional ballet company, the Paris Opera Ballet, emerged. Their work helped shape ballet’s basic positions. By 1681, the first “ballerinas” appeared after training at the Academy. Ballet’s popularity waned in France after 1830 but grew in Denmark, Italy, and Russia. The Ballets Russes led by Sergei Diaghilev just before the First World War brought new excitement to ballet and started its modern era. In the twentieth century, ballet influenced many other dance styles and evolved into modern dance.

Styles

Ballet has many different styles that have developed over time. Early styles are often linked to where they came from, like Russian ballet, French ballet, and Italian ballet. Later styles, such as contemporary and neoclassical ballet, mix classic ballet with new, modern movements. One of the most famous styles is Romantic ballet, known for its beautiful, flowing dresses and stories about magical spirits.

Classical ballet follows traditional techniques and is performed in many countries, including France, Italy, England, and Russia. Famous classical ballets include Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. Romantic ballet, from the 1800s, added new elements like dancing on pointe (on the tips of the toes) and focused on emotional stories. Neoclassical ballet, starting in the 1920s, is often abstract and uses modern music. Contemporary ballet combines classical ballet with modern dance ideas, often performed barefoot and with more expressive storytelling.

Main article: Classical ballet Main article: Romantic ballet Main article: Neoclassical ballet Main article: Contemporary ballet

Technical methods of ballet instruction

There are six main ways to teach ballet around the world. These include the French School, the Vaganova Method, the Cecchetti Method, the Bournonville method, the Royal Academy of Dance method, and the Balanchine method. Each method has its own special style and focus.

The French method is known for its smooth and graceful movements. The Vaganova method mixes Russian passion with French style. The Cecchetti method focuses on balance and strength. The Bournonville method, from Denmark, uses special arm and body movements. The Royal Academy of Dance method teaches basics slowly and carefully. The Balanchine method, developed in New York, is fast and uses unique body positions.

Costumes

Ballet costumes are very important in ballet. They often remain as the only reminder of a performance, giving us a glimpse of how the scene looked. In the early days of ballet, during the Renaissance, costumes were made from cotton, silk, and flax, woven into delicate fabrics.

As ballet grew, costumes became more elaborate. In the 17th century, women wore heavy skirts and dresses made from luxurious silks and satins, sometimes embroidered with gold and precious stones. By the 18th century, costumes in Paris began to change, with skirts lifted slightly off the ground and decorated with flowers, ribbons, and lace. In the 19th century, costumes became tighter, often with corsets, to highlight the ballerina's movements. Finally, in the 20th century, ballet costumes in Russia influenced designs, with knee-length tutus and bright colors like red and yellow to enhance the dancers' performances on stage.

Main articles: Jean-Georges Noverre, Paris Opera, pistachio

Ballet as a career

Professional ballet dancers often earn less money than many other workers. In 2020, dancers in the United States made an average of about US$19 per hour, with teachers usually earning a bit more than performers. Getting a job as a professional ballet dancer can be very difficult because there are many more people wanting jobs than there are jobs available. Most ballet-related jobs involve teaching in private dance schools.

Choreographers, the people who create dance routines, tend to earn more than dancers. Musicians and singers are usually paid more per hour than both dancers and choreographers, around US$30 per hour, but it is hard for them to find full-time work.

Health effects

Ballet dancing can sometimes lead to certain health issues for young dancers. For example, it may increase the chance of developing stress fractures or ankle problems due to the repeated movements used in ballet. Some ballet dancers may also face challenges related to their eating habits, and studies show they might be more likely than others to have concerns about food and weight. Additionally, very intense ballet training can affect the strength of bones in the arms.

Criticism

Ballet has sometimes been discussed because of how it is structured. Many ballet dances are made for younger dancers, and the way they are created — often by a male choreographer using mostly female dancers to show his ideas — has been seen as unfair to women. These discussions aim to make ballet more fair and welcoming for everyone.