The Origins of Ballet
The word "ballet" comes from this Italian word, which means "to dance."
What is ballare?
Early ballet dancers wore these restrictive but visually impressive garments, which made movement difficult.
What are brocaded costumes?
Ballet's official terminology and vocabulary were gradually codified in this language over 100 years.
What is French?
This Russian theatre producer founded the Ballet Russes, which became famous for its groundbreaking ballets.
Who is Serge Diaghilev?
This type of skirt, commonly worn by women in early pointe ballet, often ended at the calf and was bell-shaped.
What is a bell-like skirt?
Ballet's history began in this country around the year 1500.
What is Italy?
The first ballet dancers wore these types of shoes, which resembled formal dress shoes rather than modern ballet shoes.
What are dress shoes?
This French king performed many popular dances during his reign and helped formalize ballet's language.
Who is Louis XIV?
This ballet company, founded by George Balanchine in the U.S., helped establish ballet as a major art form in America.
What is the New York City Ballet?
Early ballet costumes featured these decorative headpieces, often large and ornate.
What are headdresses?
Catherine de Medici introduced early ballet to France when she married this French king.
Who is Henry II?
Early dance steps in ballet consisted of these movements: hops, slides, curtsies, and these gentle turns.
What are promenades?
Ballet performance venues became larger and more extravagant during the reign of Louis XIV, with performances held on these elevated structures.
What are platforms?
This key figure in American ballet was the first director of the San Francisco Ballet School.
Who is Adolph Bolm?
The Romantic ballet heroine, often portrayed as a sylph-like fairy, was known for her innocence and purity. This style of heroine helped define this type of character.
What is pointe dancing?
By 1850, this country had become a major creative center of ballet.
What is Russia?
These dance moves, used in early ballet, were small hops, slides, curtsies, and these graceful rotations.
What are gentle turns?
During the 19th century, this type of dancing, where women performed on their toes, became a significant part of ballet.
What is pointe dancing?
The Ballet Russes toured Europe and America during the early 20th century, bringing together dancers, composers, choreographers, and designers. This was one of the significant figures who helped establish ballet in America.
Who is George Balanchine?
In early ballet, dancers wore large headdresses, pantaloons, and these type of ornamental accessories that were difficult to move in.
What are ornaments?