Ballet Choreography and History Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a pirouette?

A complete turn or spin of the body on the demi-pointe of one foot.

What does glissade mean?

Glide

What is the significance of balance for a dancer?

A dancer's body is centered with weight evenly distributed on both feet.

What is a waltz step?

A type of ballet music or a ballet dance step counted in 3/4 tempo. Signup and view all the answers

What does jete mean?

Thrown. Signup and view all the answers

What is temps leve?

Raised jumped movement. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about second arabesque?

The forward arm is in opposition to the supporting leg. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Wayne McGregor?

A British choreographer known for Random Dance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the current artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet?

Helgi Tomasson Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes Christopher Wheeldon's works?

Collaborative and combines jazz, modern, musical theater, and ballet. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the popular Russian choreographer mentioned?

Alexei Ratmansky Signup and view all the answers

Angelin Preljocaj is an American choreographer.

False Signup and view all the answers

What ballet company did Suzanne Farrell establish?

Suzanne Farrell Ballet Signup and view all the answers

What is Mats Ek known for?

Expressive and fluid choreography. Signup and view all the answers

What type of dances does the Lyon Ballet Company produce?

Pluralism combining various styles. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the female artistic director of the Miami City Ballet Company?

Lourdes Lopez Signup and view all the answers

When did classical ballet start to flourish in Russia?

Late 1800s Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the father of Classical Ballet?

Marius Petipa Signup and view all the answers

What kind of ballets did Lev Ivanov contribute to?

The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Classical Ballet?

Symmetrical and measured. Signup and view all the answers

Tchaikovsky composed all the music for classical ballets.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Romantic Ballet?

The darker side of human nature and emotional expression. Signup and view all the answers

Match these ballet styles with their characteristics

Classical Ballet = Symmetrical and measured Romantic Ballet = Emotional and ethereal Neo-Classical Ballet = Less rigid than classical Contemporary Ballet = Influenced by modern dance Signup and view all the answers

Who is known for neo-classical ballets?

George Balanchine Signup and view all the answers

What did Serge Diaghilev do?

Brought together great artists to collaborate on ballets. Signup and view all the answers

Who choreographed 'The Rite of Spring'?

Vaslav Nijinsky Signup and view all the answers

What dance style emphasizes movement for the entire body?

Vaganova Method Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the Cecchetti method?

Training dancers from beginner to professional level. Signup and view all the answers

Diversity in ballet means having dancers of different styles and ethnicities.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does pluralism in ballet involve?

Incorporating diversity in dance pieces. Signup and view all the answers

What does RICE stand for in treating muscle strain?

Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation Signup and view all the answers

What is a grand plié?

A bending movement of the legs. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'petite battement sur le cou de pied' mean?

Small beat on the neck of the foot. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate pose in ballet called?

Second Arabesque Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

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.