Classical Ballet Flashcards

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.