Romantic to Classic Ballet 18th/19th Century Dance in Russia

Grand Pas de Deux Structure Part 3

Female Variation 3rd dance Female exhibits virtuosity in a solo High extensions, quick & difficult footwork Ends in rapid series of pirouettes either in a circle (en manege) or on the diagonal, ending in a pose

Contributor #2 : Marius Petipa

- Born in France, made fame in Russia - Son of French dancer; brother to Lucien - Acclaimed dancer in the Romantic Form - Created over 50 ballets in Russia - Don Quixote, La Bayadare, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker - Contributed with composer Peter I Tchaikovsky and demonstrated Noverre's theories of a cohesive ballet (set new standard for classical ballet) - Created new school

Contributor #1 : Arthur St. Leon

- Considered one of the best dancers of his time - Extraordinary ballon and elevation - Developed a notion system - Divided his time between St. Petersburg and Paris - Choreographer of "Coppelia"

Contributor #4 : Enrico Cocchetti

- Dancer, mime, teacher - Most of his career was connect to Russian Ballet - Developed a daily curriculum, which was his legacy to modern ballet - Authored book "A Manual of the Theory and Practice of Classical Theatrical Dancing"

Dance in Russia

- Deep rich history - Folk dances existed since the earliest of times and never lost their features and were incorporated into their ballet - Russian czars made it possible for dance to flourish - Court theaters were replicated by lesser nobility and featuring serf ballerinas - Some nobility had theaters built as separate rooms or buildings in their homes

Contributor #3 : Lev Ivanov

- Helped finish The Nutcracker - Choreographed Act II and Act IV of Swan Lake - Russian dancer and choreographer born in Moscow - Remained in the shadow of Petipa

"A Manual of the Theory and Practice of Classical Theatrical Dancing"

Became the curriculum basis of Cecchetti society, which was founded in England to train teachers

2 major theaters/ballet companies/ schools in Russia

Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow) Maryinsky Theater (St. Petersburg)

What is the prototype of Classical ballet?

Swan Lake

Coppelia

The Girl With Enamel Eyes Choreographed by Arthur St. Leon Was based on E.T.A Hoffman's "The Sandman"

Contributor #5 : Pierina Cecchetti

- Performed 32 fouettes in Cinderella and then the famous 32 fouettes in Swan Lake - Russians emulated her technical feats - Danced numerous Petipa ballets - Set new standard for the classical era

Bolshoi Theater

- The 1st dancing school was at a Moscow orphanage - Over 1/3 of the orphans became soloists in Moscow or St. Petersburg

Classical ballet form

- Varied in many elements, a lot in common with romantic with some variation - Ranged from 2-act form (The Nutcracker) to 4-act form (Swan Lake) and even longer with an epilogue (The Sleeping Beauty) - All acts contained : fantastic and realistic story elements, lead ballerina and premier danseur, with soloist and corps de ballet, told story through dance, mime and character dances - Acting roles played by retired dancers or those that specialized in mime - Male and female dancers performed a pas de deux, which was reversed for the lead ballerina and premier danseur - Character dancers performed a blend of national dances and ballet which portrayed a national style (Spanish, Polish, Hungarian) - Corps and ballerina performed en pointe - Tutus/skirts length ranged from above the knee to mid-calf - Males wore tunics or peasant shirts and vests, tights, knee breeches or shorter pants - Character dancer usually wore stylized national costume, with corresponding colors and usually wore boots

Maryinsky Theatre

- Was the nucleus of professional ballet theatre in Russia - Supported by the czars - Dance training was included in the military school curriculum - Imperial Ballet School was the direction ancestor of the present day Vaganova Choreographic Institute - Purpose of ballet? To glorify the power of the Russian state

Czar

A male monarch or emperor, the title of the ruler of Russia, a very powerful person

Grand Pas de Deux Structure Part 1

Adagio 1st dance Slow tempo Bows to begin Ballerinas extension, Males turning ballerina slowly (promenades) Various lifts Multiple pirouettes

Serf

An agricultural laborer bound to work on the lord's estate (similar to slave)

Grand Pas de Deux Structure

Finale or Coda 4th dance for couple In quick allegro tempo Dances together with supported lifts and turns Followed by one or more solo sections that include virtuosity in turns, jumps, & beaten steps The last part is danced together

What is the prototype of Romantic ballet?

Giselle

What did Coppelia do?

It bridged Romantic ballet to Classical ballet Petipa was a major influence

How did Moscow have an advantage over St. Petersburg

It was allowed to develop more freely and was less influenced by the court

Grand Pas de Deux Structure Part 2

Male Variation 2nd dance Male exhibits virtuosity in a solo Beats, leaps, turns, multiple jumps Turns often ending on one knee

Why did Moscow separate itself from St. Petersburg

Moscow's dance, opera, dramatic theaters were influenced by the city's universities (more superior)

Who choreographed "The Sleeping Beauty"

Petipa Music by Tchaikovsky

Who choreographed "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake"

Petipa and Ivanov Music by Tchaikovsky

Who performed for their masters and visitors?

Serfs

What was Maryinsky in St. Petersburg closely associated with?

The court and included a training school