Pardon My French
Famous Ballets
Action Words
100
A position that is "crossed."
What is croisé?
100
This ballet features the vengeful spirits of girls who died before they married.
What is Giselle?
100

To bend

What is plier?

200
A pattern in the shape of a cross.
What is en croix?
200
In this ballet, a magic scarf spells doom for the title character.
What is La Sylphide?
200

To rise

What is relever?

300
This word is a "false friend." Retiré looks like it should mean retire, but it really means...
What is withdraw?
300
A doll appears to come to life in this ballet based on a story by the same author as The Nutcracker.
What is Coppélia?
300

To jump

What is tourner?

400
This word is a "false friend." Balancé looks like it should mean balance, but it really means...
What is rocking step?
400
This ballet features the death of the main character by snake bite.
What is La Bayadère?
400

To turn

What is tourner?

500
These words mean "time joined" and "time raised."
What are temps lié and temps levé?
500
These three ballets share the same composer, Tschaikovsky, and the same choreographer, Petipa. One of them is The Nutcracker. What is another?
What is Swan Lake or The Sleeping Beauty?
500

To glide or slide

What is glisser?

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