Vocab Translations
To melt
Fondu
The leg is straight and lifted behind
Arabesque
Ballet can be traced back to this century, starting as court entertainment during the Italian Renaissance
This rags-to-riches story of a fairy godmother and a glass slipper was the first full-length English classical ballet, choreographed by Frederick Ashton
Cinderella
Carriage of the arms
Port De Bras
Pricking the floor quickly in front
Piqué Devant
One of the most well-known classical ballet choreographers, responsible for The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Giselle to name a few
Marius Petipa
In this 1940 ballet choreographed by Leonid Lavrovsky, the Capulet and Montague families at war; but these star-crossed lovers would rather die than be apart.
Romeo and Juliet
To cut
Coupé
The leg slowly passes through coupé, passé, attitude, and a full extension to the side back corner
Developpé ecarté derrière
He is the "Father of American Ballet", who left Ballet Russes in Russia to create his own ballet company in New York City
George Balanchine
We see Marius Petipa's choreography in most modern productions of this ballet, proving that forgiveness is stronger than death and Wilis
Giselle
To whip
Fouetté
Jumping from fifth, the legs beat "four" times before landing
Entrechat Quatre
Royal Academy of Dance
Originally choreographed by Filippo Taglioni in 1832, this ballet follows a Scotsman in his desperate attempt to keep the forest fairy he loves from disappearing. (Fun fact: This was the first ballet to introduce romantic tutus!)
La Sylphide
Crossed
Croisé
Gargouillade
Future History: This Russian ballerina, formerly of the Bolshoi Ballet and currently a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, will certainly be touted as one of the greats decades from now.
Natalia Osipova
Trick question: There's no plot here; this ballet choreographed by George Balanchine features Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds and has been called the first full-length abstract ballet.
Jewels