Ballet Choreography and History Quiz

Choreographers and Dance Companies

• Wayne McGregor is a prominent British choreographer known for his contemporary ballet style, collaborative works, and integration of technology and architecture.
• The San Francisco Ballet, founded in 1933, is the oldest American ballet company, celebrating 80 years of excellence and currently directed by Helgi Tomasson.
• Christopher Wheeldon, a British choreographer and former soloist at New York City Ballet, blends different dance styles, including jazz and modern, and is known for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."
• Alexei Ratmansky is a celebrated Russian choreographer recognized for restaging classic ballets with innovative interpretations.
• Angelin Preljocaj leads Ballet Preljocaj, a contemporary ballet company in France, showcasing modern dance elements alongside traditional ballet.
• Suzanne Farrell, a renowned former soloist at New York City Ballet, is influential in ballet and runs her own ballet company while having a significant teaching presence.
• Mats Ek is a Swedish choreographer notable for his expressive, fluid choreography that modernizes classical ballets.
• The Lyon Ballet Company exemplifies pluralism by merging French classical ballet with American modern choreography for diverse performances.

Influential Figures in Ballet History

• George Balanchine is a foundational figure in American ballet, known for neo-classical works and establishing the New York City Ballet.
• Serge Diaghilev directed the groundbreaking Ballets Russes from 1909 to 1929, introducing innovative dance concepts and collaborations among artists.
• Vaslov Nijinsky, a key dancer and choreographer for Ballets Russes, is famous for the controversial "The Rite of Spring," which transformed ballet's narrative and musical presentation.
• Anna Pavlova, admired for her artistry, was a legendary ballerina who heavily influenced ballet during her tours in America.

Ballet Styles and Techniques

• Classical ballet emerged in Russia in the late 1800s, evolving through the influences of key figures like Peter the Great and Enrico Cecchetti.
• Romantic ballet predates classical ballet and is characterized by its emotional themes, focus on the supernatural, and darker elements of human nature.
• Neo-classical ballet, championed by Balanchine, maintains traditional vocabulary with a more modern approach, allowing for greater expression and complexity.
• Contemporary ballet blends classical techniques with modern dance principles, incorporating floor work and greater movement freedom.

Ballet Training Methods

• The Cecchetti method emphasizes a progressive training system, focusing on fundamental qualities such as strength and musicality.
• The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) represents the English ballet style, merging various techniques with an emphasis on detail in training.
• The Vaganova method, developed in Soviet Russia, promotes complete body involvement in dance and incorporates expressive hand movements.

Diversity and Pluralism in Ballet

• Diversity in ballet includes representation across ethnicities and genders, with the San Francisco Ballet exemplifying this with a diverse principal dancer lineup.
• Pluralism in ballet showcases different dance styles and backgrounds within a single piece, fostering collaboration and innovation, as seen with Wayne McGregor's works.

Notable Ballet Terms and Movements

• Grand plié involves bending deeply at the knees and is essential for developing leg strength and flexibility.
• The pirouette is a rotational movement on one foot, performed en dehors or en dedans, showcasing balance and control.
• Jete, meaning "thrown," features a leap from one foot to the other, highlighting dynamic motion and energy.
• Glissade is a low, ground-based movement gliding from one foot to another, emphasizing fluidity in dance.
• Ballet techniques like petite battement and temps levé focus on precision and elevation in movement, critical for achieving technical excellence.

Ballet Performance Analysis

• Review a ballet by describing its elements, analyzing its structure, interpreting its meaning, and evaluating its artistic value. This process helps in understanding the intricate relationship between movement, music, and narrative in ballet.

Test your knowledge on influential figures in ballet like Wayne McGregor and the history of the San Francisco Ballet. This quiz will cover key definitions and significant contributions in ballet choreography and the evolution of ballet companies in America.