Classical Ballet Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Who was Arthur Saint-Léon?

A French dancer and choreographer known for developing the first notation system for ballet.

Who is Marius Petipa?

A French-born ballet master famous for his work in Russia.

Which composer is most well associated with Petipa?

Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky

What changes marked the classical era of ballet?

<p>Attention to dramatic content, form, and musical unity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Lev Ivanov?

<p>A choreographer known for his work with the Maryinsky Theatre.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Enrico Cecchetti known for?

<p>Developing a logical progression of ballet class exercises.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Pierina Legnani?

<p>A dancer famous for her impressive fouette turns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Virginia Zucchi?

<p>An Italian dancer who contributed to the St. Petersburg ballet school.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Bolshoi Theatre known for?

<p>Its historical significance in Moscow's ballet scene.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Maryinsky Theatre?

<p>The St. Petersburg ballet school, later also known as the Imperial Ballet School.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following dances were popular in the second half of the 19th century? (Select all that apply)

<p>Quadrille</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of classical ballets?

<p>Ranged from two to four acts, included fantastic elements, and had a hierarchy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Grand Pas de Deux structure consist of?

<p>Part I: Adagio, Part II: Female variation, Part III: Male variation, Part IV: Finale.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Coppélia' about?

<p>A ballet involving lovers Franz and Swanilda and a dollmaker named Dr. Coppélius.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'The Sleeping Beauty' based on?

<p>A fairy tale by Charles Perrault.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who choreographed 'The Nutcracker'?

<p>Ivanov, planned out by Petipa.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When was 'Swan Lake' first performed?

<p>1895</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Figures in Classical Ballet

  • Arthur Saint-Léon:

    • (1821-1870) Renowned French dancer and choreographer.
    • Developed the first comprehensive notation system for ballet in 1852.
    • Served as ballet master at the Imperial Theater starting in 1859.
    • Choreographed "Coppélia" in 1870.

  • Marius Petipa:

    • (1819-1910) Prominent French-born choreographer active in Russia.
    • Key works include "Don Quixote," "La Bayadere," "The Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella," and "Swan Lake."
    • Became Imperial ballet master in 1862; partnered frequently with Fanny Elssler.

  • Lev Ivanov:

    • (1834-1901) Joined Maryinsky Theatre in 1850.
    • Known for choreographing the second act of "Swan Lake" and his rendition of "La Fille Mal Gardee."

  • Enrico Cecchetti:

    • (1850-1928) Italian ballet dancer and teacher, influential in Russian ballet under Petipa.
    • Created a systematic class structure emphasizing both adagio and allegro movements.
    • Authored a codification of his ballet technique for teacher training in England.

  • Pierina Legnani:

    • (1863-1923) Notable for her remarkable 32 fouetté turns in "Cinderella" (1893).

  • Virginia Zucchi:

    • (1847-1930) Italian dancer who contributed to the St. Petersburg ballet school with a focus on technical mastery.

Institutions and Theaters

  • The Bolshoi Theatre:

    • Established in Moscow, with origins dating back to 1759.
    • Dance training began in 1764, evolving over the years to professional standards with the creation of the Petrovsky Theatre, rebuilt after being burned in 1805.

  • The Maryinsky Theatre:

    • Originated from the court theater during the reign of Anna Ivanova, emphasizing dance as a tool for glorifying the Russian State.
    • Founded the St. Petersburg Ballet School, initially established by Jean Baptiste Lande.

Evolution of Ballet

  • Classical Era Changes:
    • Emphasis shifted to dramatic storytelling, structural form, and cohesive musicality.
    • Marius Petipa's integration of Italian and French styles laid the foundation for the emergence of Russian ballet.

Ballet Structure

  • General Structure:

    • Typically consists of two to four acts featuring both fantasy and narrative elements.
    • The hierarchy includes a ballerina, premier danseur, soloists, and the corps de ballet.
    • Grand pas de deux is performed by the lead dancers, while divertissements augment the performance without tie-ins to the plot.

  • Grand Pas de Deux:

    • Structured in four parts: adagio, female variation, male variation, and concluding coda.

Famous Ballets

  • Coppélia:

    • Premiered in 1870; signifies the transition from Romantic to Classical ballet.
    • A story involving lovers and a lifelike doll, culminating in their union.

  • The Sleeping Beauty:

    • Choreographed by Petipa with Tchaikovsky's music, based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale.
    • Premiered in 1890, emblematic of 19th-century Russian culture.

  • The Nutcracker:

    • Premiered in 1892, with choreography by Ivanov and music by Tchaikovsky, showcasing a Christmas dream narrative.

  • Swan Lake:

    • Originally introduced in 1877; the widely acclaimed version was staged by Petipa and Ivanov in 1895.

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Test your knowledge of influential figures in classical ballet with these flashcards. Learn about key dancers and choreographers, their contributions, and historical significance in the world of ballet.

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