Classical Ballet
This is the style and costumes worn during the classical persiod of ballet.
Ballet is a special form of dancing performed for theatre audiences meant to tell a story, express feelings and emotions, and was simply created to imitate music in general. It is generally described as a beautiful, sophisticated, and elegant type of dance. Ballet seems to be very graceful and pleasing to the eye. Reasons this may be so is because ballet dancer’s way of performing and moving their bodies differ from those of other dancers and may look somewhat unnatural. When these movements are presented in a well practiced manner they should not look unnatural though. What the audience should see is merely a person floating through the air in long, slow leaps keeping perfect balance. Balance is also important in the spinning motions done on the tip-toes and the fast footwork movements done (Ballet History). Ballet was created many years ago and appears to still be around today perhaps for the stories it is capable of telling and the great audience ballet entails.
The art of ballet can trace its origins all the way back to the 17th century when ballet was only performed between opera scenes to entertain the audience who came to watch opera. These short dances were not completely professional yet, but with the wide range of popularity and importance the public displayed, ballet grew drastically to the point of having it performed alone. It was then when ballet gained rights to perform their own shows and became a type of theater exclusively (A History of the Art). In the 17th century ballet shows origins of starting in Italy during the Renaissance period, but was fully shaped by the French ballet de cour. Classical ballet is what ballet in general began as consisting of social dances performed in elaborate costumes by the upper class or nobles in consistency with music, speech, song, and décor (Early Professional Ballet). The way the French continued to develop ballet is by Louis XIV. He brought the ideas back from Italy and suddenly they became the most popular form of civil entertainment. Louis XIV was obviously very passionate about dance and was determined to make ballet a hit (The Influence).
Even more importantly, Louis XIV established the first school of ballet called the Academie Royale de Danse, which taught ordinary people the forms of ballet dancing. The music and conventions of performance spread throughout France as the elegant symbol representing the newly found acts of dance. Founded by Louis XIV also known as the Sun King may have been why ballet became so popular. Royals everywhere were striving to try to be like Louis XIV which in turn led to the brilliant outbreak of classical ballet dancing. These dancers taught by him were now professionals by this time and ended up taking over in 1670 when he himself stopped dancing. In essence the first real ballerina took classes from Academie Royale de Danse eventually leading to the beginning of the evolution or new modern ballet dancing (The Influence).
Classical ballet differs in many ways from modern ballet but one major, noticeable difference is the clothing and costumes worn. In the 17th century when ballet began intricate, detailed costumes were worn. In the modern world simple, plain leotards are worn. This is one way ballet relates to my life. Believe it or not, I took ballet classes as a child as I am sure many other young girls did as well. I never took it too serious or got too involved with dancing though. I figured I was better at other activities, but enjoyed it. When I think of ballet I try to recall information and remember what it was like for me. I must have been too young to know a whole lot which is why I chose ballet and thought it would be interesting to learn more about. I watch ballet now such as the “Nutcracker” and think of how much practice and time must have been put into these performances. It is almost amazing to me that someone can carry out movements and actions, such as ones shown in this video, that seem so unnatural. It takes a lot of flexibility and strength for these men and women to spin and balance as they do. In this video, notice not only the clothing but the movements and steps performed.
The general, basic ideas of ballet are performed as follows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5hQU5PFo50&feature=PlayList&p=D5A7F58E11331C71&index=0
After watching this video one should be able to notice the gracefulness and elegance classical ballet brings with its name. Think of the peaceful, relaxing story brought along by this kind of dance. Ballet is a form of communication in the same way as talking except instead of using verbal language the audience should be watching body language, movements, and especially foot movements. Sophistication and beauty are two elements I believe that sum up ballet in a whole overall.
The art of ballet can trace its origins all the way back to the 17th century when ballet was only performed between opera scenes to entertain the audience who came to watch opera. These short dances were not completely professional yet, but with the wide range of popularity and importance the public displayed, ballet grew drastically to the point of having it performed alone. It was then when ballet gained rights to perform their own shows and became a type of theater exclusively (A History of the Art). In the 17th century ballet shows origins of starting in Italy during the Renaissance period, but was fully shaped by the French ballet de cour. Classical ballet is what ballet in general began as consisting of social dances performed in elaborate costumes by the upper class or nobles in consistency with music, speech, song, and décor (Early Professional Ballet). The way the French continued to develop ballet is by Louis XIV. He brought the ideas back from Italy and suddenly they became the most popular form of civil entertainment. Louis XIV was obviously very passionate about dance and was determined to make ballet a hit (The Influence).
Even more importantly, Louis XIV established the first school of ballet called the Academie Royale de Danse, which taught ordinary people the forms of ballet dancing. The music and conventions of performance spread throughout France as the elegant symbol representing the newly found acts of dance. Founded by Louis XIV also known as the Sun King may have been why ballet became so popular. Royals everywhere were striving to try to be like Louis XIV which in turn led to the brilliant outbreak of classical ballet dancing. These dancers taught by him were now professionals by this time and ended up taking over in 1670 when he himself stopped dancing. In essence the first real ballerina took classes from Academie Royale de Danse eventually leading to the beginning of the evolution or new modern ballet dancing (The Influence).
Classical ballet differs in many ways from modern ballet but one major, noticeable difference is the clothing and costumes worn. In the 17th century when ballet began intricate, detailed costumes were worn. In the modern world simple, plain leotards are worn. This is one way ballet relates to my life. Believe it or not, I took ballet classes as a child as I am sure many other young girls did as well. I never took it too serious or got too involved with dancing though. I figured I was better at other activities, but enjoyed it. When I think of ballet I try to recall information and remember what it was like for me. I must have been too young to know a whole lot which is why I chose ballet and thought it would be interesting to learn more about. I watch ballet now such as the “Nutcracker” and think of how much practice and time must have been put into these performances. It is almost amazing to me that someone can carry out movements and actions, such as ones shown in this video, that seem so unnatural. It takes a lot of flexibility and strength for these men and women to spin and balance as they do. In this video, notice not only the clothing but the movements and steps performed.
The general, basic ideas of ballet are performed as follows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5hQU5PFo50&feature=PlayList&p=D5A7F58E11331C71&index=0
After watching this video one should be able to notice the gracefulness and elegance classical ballet brings with its name. Think of the peaceful, relaxing story brought along by this kind of dance. Ballet is a form of communication in the same way as talking except instead of using verbal language the audience should be watching body language, movements, and especially foot movements. Sophistication and beauty are two elements I believe that sum up ballet in a whole overall.
This picture gives you an idea of classical ballet overall. Here you can notice the style, mood, and feelings.
