Ballet: A History

Ballet is one of the most beautiful forms of dance, a passionate emotional and physical expression developed over centuries by professional dancers across the world. Its roots can be traced back to medieval Europe, but today Ballet has influenced artists in every corner of the globe. 

The royal courts of the Italian Renaissance produced the classical realm of ballet, a discipline which came to be recognized throughout the world as an institution steeped in elegance, with concentrations on delicacy and class. 

The beginnings of ballet in Europe were influenced by the Aristocracy, and early dances were designed alongside popular poetry and music. Over time, ballet became a theatrical event, and a recognized art form. Classical ballet conforms to traditional techniques, with detailed and intense training based on balance and flow. Professional dancers are trained to execute precise routines with strength in the legs and arms. 

Ballet grew to become prominent in Russia, with many dance companies opening across the country, combining local folklore with classical choreography. By the 1930s, it had become a technical and highly respected dance discipline, and the Soviet Ballet produced “Cinderella,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Flames of Paris.” 

Ballet dancers began to tour around the world in the middle of the nineteenth century, landing in New York, where their talents were infused with further expression and theatrical drama. 

Neoclassical ballet, a contemporary form of the dance pioneered by Russian dancer George Balanchine in the U.S., is a combination of traditional concepts mixed with American themes, forged by dance choreography trends out of California in the early 1920s. This style is sophisticated and modern, drawing up romanticism as a main influence.  The first neoclassical ballet performance, “Apollo,” is still performed today. 

Both modern and traditional ballet performances were designed to be full-length storytelling events, with themes exhibited solely through the movements and costumes of the dancers, and there are several different forms of the art named after their founders.

The Vaganova method is often regarded as the most popular, born from the mind of Agrippina Vaganova, a Russian ballet teacher. 

Enrico Cecchetti, and Italian dancer, introduced The Cecchetti method, which concentrates on the body within the teachings of classical ballet, producing simplicity of movement. 

The Bournonville Method is lesser known, styled by Danish dancer August Bournonville, who created over fifty performances in a light style uniquely his own, influenced by French techniques. 

While all ballet styles are similar, there are some variations across the world. Italian techniques, for instance, tends to be faster and incorporate detailed foot movements, while Russian ballet is comprised of high extensions and flawless turns. Each style is unique to its founder, but takes pointers from the classical methods developed in the 15^th century. 

Dancers who commit to learn the Ballet discipline are trained to exude classical elegance with rigorous techniques, and the art transforms the balance and natural flow of the body. From toddlers to teenagers to adult-age experts, Ballet is one of the world’s most popular styles of expression, demanding passion and commitment within its choreography.