History Of Ballet
Ballet is a dance performance that we are used to watch in theatres in our modern day. But this type of dance we know now is not the way it has been in its beginning, therefore the enjoyment of ballet is not complete without the basic knowledge of the History of Ballet.
Ballet is a word that is Italian in origin, and so does the dance we call today as ballet. Ballet is an outgrowth of renaissance court pageantry in Italy, were aristocratic weddings were lavish celebrations. To provide elaborate entertainment to audiences of the court, dancers and court musicians collaborated with each other. It is in 15th century Italy where the history of ballet finds its roots. A renaissance timeline ballet was a far cry from the theatrical entertainment that the modern people enjoy today.
Classical ballet puts great emphasis on the method and execution of movement. The continuous outward rotation of the thighs from the hip referred to as “turnout” is a distinctive feature of classical ballet. Ballet dancers throughout the history of ballet started young, receiving rigorous education in their school’s method, which ends with graduation from high school. Required to learn the names, meaning s and precise technique of each movement a student learn, made ballet more of a discipline as much as an art of dance.
Contemporary style came later in the history of ballet, a form of dance with influence rooted in classical ballet and modern dance. Pointework still form parts of its routine but contemporary ballet permits a greater range of movements which is not part of the strict body lines of classical ballet technique. The concept and ideas that surround the foundation of contemporary ballet came from the innovations and ideas of 20th century modern dance, floorwork, turn-in of legs and balletic movements.
Still, whether it is classical ballet, or contemporary ballet the rigorous discipline and practice still plays an important part of the ballet dancer’s life.Emphasis is put on building strength mostly in the lower body, particularly the legs, and the core (also called the center or the abdominals) as a strong core is necessary for all movements in ballet, especially turns, and on developing flexibility and strong feet for dancing en pointe. Ballet may have come a long way from its classical period, and has undergone changes to become the contemporary ballet we see today, ballet dance performance will always remain a graceful grandeur.
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