Nicole Moore Sanborn
Dance has been common to the world for the entire history of mankind. Song and dance are mentioned in the Bible as well. Merriam-Webster’s definition of dance is “to move the body and feet in rhythm, ordinarily to music.” Many different forms of dance are in existence. Since there are so many forms, I will only list a few. One of the most well-known forms of dance is ballet, which will be elaborated upon later in this article. Other forms include aerial, African, Afro-Caribbean, Azerbaijani, Brazilian, belly-dancing, break dancing, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, tap, jazz, improvisation, folk, western, ballroom, and modern. Other cultural styles include various forms of Chinese and Japanese dance, African and Native American dance (particular to various tribes and regions), as well as Latin American dances. Many of the aforementioned ballroom dances are Latin American styles.
Perhaps the most well-known form of dance is ballet. Ballet is considered the basic building-block of most other styles of dance. Ballet is defined as “a classical style of expressive dancing based on precise conventional steps with gestures and movements of grace and fluidity,” and “a theatrical representation of a story or theme performed to music by ballet dancers.” Before the 16th century, ballet emerged as a distinctive form or style of dance in Italy. The first ballet as we think of it today (combining movement, music, a set, and special effects) was presented in France in 1581. This ballet, presented at Catherine de Medici’s court was organized by the violinist Balthasar de Beaujoyeux and was entitled Le Ballet comique de la Reine (“Ballet”). This translates as “the comic ballet of the queen” (Google). Beaujoyeaux’s ballet was the first ballet de cour, the ancestor of modern ballet. Major development of ballet in France did not begin until the 17th century. In about 1610, simple entrees were extended and joined together to form scenes (called divertissements), which eventually culminated into a grand ballet. Louis XIV was a major contributor to the development of ballet in France. He founded the Royal Ballet Academy in 1661, the Royal Music Academy in 1669 (which later became the Paris Opera), and the first National Ballet School in 1672. In modern times, the majority of ballet dancers are girls, but, at the schools Louis XIV founded (at the beginning of their existence), all parts were performed by male dancers, where boys in wigs and masks took on female roles. The Triumph of Love was the first ballet using trained women, performed in 1681. In 1708 in France, the first ballet was commissioned for public performance. Until then, all ballets were performed as court spectacles (“Ballet”).
After this, ballet developed as a separate art form, while the court ballet kept its historic traditions. As choreographic notation came into being, mythological themes were explored. Movements in ballet became more elevated and less horizontal with the increased influence of the Italian school of ballet. The five classic positions of the feet were established at this time by Pierre Beauchamps. These five classic positions form the base for the dancer’s stance and movement. The costumes were also developed further to allow freedom of movement. Originally, the costumes were cumbersome with decoration, long skirts, and high heels (for both men and women). Marie Camargo, a virtuoso dancer, introduced a new style of costume to women by shortening her skirt to mid-calf and wearing tights, as well as what were to be the first ballet slippers (heelless shoes). Marie Salle, the first female choreographer, Camargo’s rival, was the first dancer to wear a filmy, Grecian-style costume. This style of costume was made popular two centuries later by Isadora Duncan. Jean Georges Noverre was a revolutionary 18th-century developer of ballet. He wanted ballet to tell a story, aided by music, décor, and dance, and wanted the performer to interpret his role through the dance, as well as through his own body and facial expression. He simplified the costume and abolished the mask. Technical innovation in dance movement increased after further modification of the ballet costume, because after the costume was modified, it was easier to move and therefore easier to develop movements.
In 1820 in Milan, Carlo Blasis began to set the technique of ballet as we know it today, with its stress on the turned-out leg. The turned-out leg allowed (and allows) a variety of movements, extensions, and perspectives to emerge not previously developed. The production of La Sylpide in 1832 began the Romantic period of ballet. This period ushered in a new era of choreography emphasizing beauty as well as the virtuosity of the prima ballerina. In this production, the filmy, calf-length costume, later to become the standard for classical ballet, was worn. Ballet was consistent with the literature and art of the Romantic Movement, and concerned the conflicts of reality and illusion, flesh and spirit. Mythological themes were replaced with love stories and fairy tales. Dancing on the toes came into favor about the same time. By the end of the 17th century, the blocked toe (pointe shoe) had appeared, and the tutu came into use. For those not familiar, the tutu is a very short, buoyant skirt that completely frees the legs, allowing for more movement. At this time, the male dancer functioned as the partner to support the ballerina, who was the central focus of the dance.
In Russia, it wasn’t until after 1875 that the renaissance in Romantic ballet began. In 1738, the Russian Imperial School of Ballet was founded. During the early 1800s, the Imperial Theater housed over 40 ballet productions staged by Charles Didelot, the celebrated Swedish ballet master. Another instructor, Marius Petipa, rigorously trained his students, indicating in his choreography the direction of intensified Romantic drama the art was to take. He contributed many of the classic ballets still considered as the greatest expressions of ballet, including some of the more well-known ones like Don Quixote and The Sleeping Beauty. With Lev Ivanov, Petipa created Swan Lake, probably the most famous ballet of all time. In 1909, the celebrated Russian Sergei Diaghilev traveled to Paris with his company. This company dominated the world of dance for 20 years, as it displayed the creative talents of many famous choreographers and dancers of the time. After Diaghilev’s death in 1929, offshoots were formed, keeping the Diaghilev tradition alive in the 1930s and later merged with another famous company. To the present day, Russian dancing, especially the Russian ballet, has been maintained at the highest level of excellence. The two foremost Russian companies, ranked among the finest in the world, are Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet and the Kirov Ballet (which has been called the St. Petersburg Maryinsky Ballet since 1991).
While Italian and Russian ballets are the dominant styles, British and American ballets are also present. In England, around 1918, Enrico Checchetti set down his own method of training with Cyril Beaumont. Cecchetti’s style is still in practice, and he taught many great dancers including Pavlova, Nijinsky, Massine, and Danilova. The Cecchetti Society was founded in 1922 to preserve and protect Cecchetti’s system and style of dance. In 1930, the Ballet Club, which is the first permanent ballet school and company in England, was founded by Marie Rambert. Valois established what is now called the Royal Ballet, once called the Sadler’s Wells Ballet. This company has drawn international attention to the work of many famous choreographers. Rudolf Nureyev (whose attention was drawn to the Royal Ballet) was instrumental in changing the traditional supportive role of the male dancer into a far more significant, dynamic, and athletic place in the realm of ballet. He was both a choreographer and dancer. Since then, many other contemporary choreographers have given male dancers a more flamboyant showcase, rather than just supporting the ladies and prima ballerinas.
In the United States, the American Ballet company was formed in 1934. This company established the first major school of ballet in the country and developed the talents of many notable American dancers. This took place under the direction of George Balanchine as its chief choreographer. Balanchine enormously influenced the creation and development of an American ballet style as parent company to the New York City Ballet, which was founded in 1948. The New York City Ballet company is one of the world’s outstanding companies. The other major American company is the American Ballet Theater (ABT), which was founded in 1939 as an offshoot of Mordkin Ballet. The ABT and NYC Ballet have earned international reputations of a high order through numerous tours. Two other American companies of note include the Joffrey Ballet (founded in 1956) and the Dance Theater of Harlem (founded in 1970). Though there are many active regional ballet companies throughout the United States, including some Christian ballet companies (“Ballet”), the United States does not typically produce the world’s top ballerinas.
On a different note, some believe dance is simply a fun, easy way to express emotion and stay in shape. However, dance is extremely difficult on the body. Dancing takes perseverance and dedication, because most of the techniques are difficult to master. While these techniques are difficult to master and the art takes hours upon hours of dedication to become excellent at it, dance is still worthwhile to take. Not only does it allow for enjoyment not found in other styles of art or in sports, but it is a good stress reliever. Although extremely difficult on the body, my experience with dance is it frees your anxieties. For many, including myself, dance is a stress reliever. While dancing, your form and technique may be perfect, but if there is no passion, the performance is boring. Dancing requires some sort of passion. Dance is a stress reliever because, due to the passion it requires, you can exude all of your energy and emotion through dancing. Once the techniques are mastered, dancers can allow the music to flow through them. As the music flows through them, they feel a kind of freedom.
On the dance floor, nothing can touch you. It’s just you, the music, and the dance floor. Dance allows a type of expression that cannot be found in other forms of art. Dance allows for the overflow of emotion in subtle and grand movements. When dancing, after I’ve finally nailed a combination, my emotion overflows into my movements, and all of my emotions come out. Personally, I’ve tried a few different styles of dance. Each style is unique and difficult in its own way, although some basic techniques of ballet carry over into other styles. Though some discredit ballet and other artistic styles such as gymnastics or ice skating and declare them not to be sports, I disagree. Though they fit into the category of artistic sports, they are still sports. My experience with dance has grown me as a person. It has aided in the development of perseverance, dedication, and passion in my life. Dance has served as an outlet when I am stressed. Dance clears my mind.
Dance is an art form very difficult to master, and all of the prima ballerinas and principal company dancers have spent years in training. Most professional dancers begin at an early age and take dance their whole life so they can become professionals. The realm of professional dance brings lots of pressure to look perfect and dance perfectly all the time, but those who become professionals love dance so much this doesn’t make them shy away from the art. As a whole, the art form is one where I can express myself and is the reason I enjoy it so much.
I hope our journey through the development of ballet has left you with an appreciation for the art of dance. I also hope you will delight yourself in attending a ballet or any type of dance performance (I do not mean strip clubs and pole dancing, however), sometime in your life. As you observe, consider the dedication and discipline necessary to put on a performance, and therefore appreciate the dancer. Appreciate the art, the instructors, and the performers. It will be worth your time and money to observe people who are good at what they do. Bottom line: I hope this article leaves you with a better understanding and appreciation of dance. Fellow dancers can agree with me on this: dance is very rewarding, both emotionally and physically. Dance is a lovely art form, and its various styles have much to offer.
Works Cited
“Ballet.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press, 2007. Accessed through http://www.encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/ballet. Web. 8 Oct 2012.
Google Translate, French to English. http://www.google.com/translate. N.p. N.d. Web. 8 Oct 2012.
Merriam-Webster. New World Dictionary of the American Language. Ed. David Guralnik. William Collins and World Publishing Co., Inc.
All other material without a source listed is based on my personal experiences and observations.
Redeeming Pandora 