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Essay must be minimum of 500 words

Writing

Essay must be minimum of 500 words. Only refer to the dances presented in the course. If you choose to do additional research you must cite your resources correctly.

Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will result in a zero for the course and will be reported to the Dean of Student Services.

If you have any questions about the essay, please let me know.

1. Choose a specific dance form that was introduced in the course materials. Describe the dance in detail (movement description, costuming, music, who performs the dance, why the dance is performed, when the dance is performed, etc.).

2. Discuss the cultural and historical context of the form (when and where did the dance develop? what cultural/ ethnic groups perform the dance? how does the dance reflect the historical time period and/or cultural norms?)

3. What did you find most interesting about this dance form and why?

The dance I chose is Ballet dance

This module provides an introduction to Court Dance and a brief history of Ballet. In addition, the similarities and differences between Classical and Contemporary Ballet will be explored.

Court Dance • Court dances were created to entertain the aristocracy and royalty. • Dances are designed to be viewed by an audience. • Dances require specialization, training, skill, and talent. • In some cases, dancers are professional performers supported by the royal courts. European Court Dance- Early Ballet • The Italian and French royalty of the 15th and 16th centuries developed dances to provide entertainment as well as to maintain political power. • Lavish spectacles including dance, music, poetry and prose were performed by court nobility in ballrooms. Notable Figures of Early Ballet • Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman, became Queen of France and brought her dance master Balthasar de Beaujoyeux with her. • Beaujoyeaux created the Ballet Comique de la Reine- considered to be the first Ballet. • Louis XIV, King of France, was known as Apollo the Sun King, is considered to be the first true star of Ballet. • Dancing was so important during his reign that nobility could gain or lose rank based on their dancing abilities. Codification of Ballet Technique • Louis XIV established the Royal Academy of Dance which began to codify the dance technique. • To this day, Ballet terminology is in the French language. • This academy became the Paris Opera Ballet in 1661 and is still in existence today. Proscenium Theater • Another innovation during the reign of Louis XIV was the proscenium theater. • This theater includes a proscenium arch- a structural arch or frame through which the audience observes the dance. • Prior to this development, the dance was performed in a ballroom setting from all sides. This new structure allowed audience members to view the dancers from one view only, which further influenced the development of Ballet technique, most notably turn-out- the external rotation of the dancer’s legs and feet (allowing for quicker movement side to side). Ballet in the 1700’s- The Baroque Period • In the 18th century, rulers of other European countries (ex. Russia, England, Italy, Austria, Denmark) established royally subsidized theaters and opera houses. • Although women were not allowed to perform Ballet until 1681, during the Baroque period Ballerinas (female Ballet dancers) began to emerge as stars. • Most of the Ballets of this time period glorified the nobility and monarchies (upper classes of society). The French Revolution • The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period of radical social and political upheaval in French and European history. • The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years. • French society underwent an epic transformation as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from liberal political groups and the masses on the streets. • Old ideas about hierarchy and tradition succumbed to new Enlightenment principles of citizenship and inalienable rights. Romantic Period of Ballet • This revolution changed people’s ideas of hierarchy that Ballet reinforced- remember these dance forms were created by and for the noble classes. • Ballet began to glorify people of the middle and lower classes and stories about peasant life emerged on the stage. • During this period dancing en pointe is introduced. • Ballets become centered around a female main character or role. • These star performers are known as Prima Ballerinas. Classical Period of Ballet • During the second half of the 19th century there was a shift from the center of ballet from France to Russia because of royal patronage. • Many Europeans traveled to Russia because of this patronage such as Frenchman Marius Petipa who is considered ‘the father of classical ballet’. • Collaborating with Tchaikovsky (composer) and assistants, Petipa choreographs Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. • The Nutcracker was not well received yet this is possibly the most famous and well attended ballet today. • These ballets are all still considered classics and are performed today. th 20 Century Ballet- the Diaghilev Era • The early 1900’s were a time of world wars, demise of royal families, and the development of Modern dance. All of these events affected the development Ballet. • Diaghilev was not an artist but an arts patron- he hired Mikhail Fokine to choreograph and developed the Ballet Russes in Monaco in 1909. • Diaghilev and Fokine believed that ballet should reveal emotions rather than just show off physical prowess. • Vaslav Nijinsky was their star performer. • Nijinsky began to choreograph- creating pieces that shocked the conservative audiences, most notable The Rite of Spring. • This was the beginning of Contemporary Ballet. Classical and Contemporary Ballet: Similarities • Both use a vocabulary of movement that employs the French language. • Both emphasize a strong relationship to music. • Both utilize dancer who are highly trained in their technique and performance abilities. • Both male and female dancers are featured on stage. Classical and Contemporary Ballet- Differences • Classical always has a storyline; contemporary focuses on movement • Classical symmetrical- ‘balanced’ stage; contemporary ‘unbalanced’ stage is characteristic of style • Classical ballets always danced to classical music- contemporary not. • There is always a pas de deux in classical ballet; there may or may not in contemporary • Ballerinas always wear pointe shoes in classical; contemporary may or may not • Classical ballet often incorporates pantomime- not contemporary • Classical ballet dancers keep their spines erect- contemporary dancers curve, twist, and bend their upper bodies

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