The art of ballet was conceived in Italy, born in the late seventeenth century at the French court of Louis XIV, perfected in France in the eighteenth century, and entered its most prosperous period in Russia at the end of the nineteenth century. Ballet in nearly four hundred years of long-term historical development process, the world's countries have a great influence, spread very widely, has become the world's countries are trying to develop a form of art.
The history of ballet, the earliest beginning can be traced back to the heyday of the Renaissance in the European continent of the Italian court, and the south of France, the Begumdi place in the court. Whenever a wedding celebration, meet with foreign heads of state, or other big celebrations, that is, perform this dance to show that wish or cheer. Ballet development in the history of the first complete ballet - "Queen's Comedy Ballet" was performed in 1581, when Lorena (Lorraine) of Miss Margaret and Versailles (Versaills) of the Duke of Yao Yousi married, the ballet's music score is still preserved, can be regarded as the most ancient The music of this ballet is still preserved and is considered to be the oldest ballet music of all time.
Ballet until the era of Louis XIV (1643-1715) and reached its peak, Louis XIV himself is a great dancer, and love ballet performance. 1661, Louis XIV founded the history of the first dance school - the Royal Academy of Dance, specializing in teaching dance. In 1661, Louis XIV founded the first dance school in history, the Académie Royale de la Danse de France, which specialized in dance. The school is now part of the Paris Opera. The five positions of the hands and feet and some of the beautiful ballet positions that are still used today were fixed here in 1700. The cultural and musical importance of the French ballet grew enormously under the patronage of the royal choreographer Beauchamp and the musicians Cambefort and Lully. So ballet became the source of many new court dances; such as: Gavotte (Gavotte), Passepied (Passepied), Boree (Boree), Rigaudon (Rigaudon) and so on. The most important of these dances is the Minuet, which Lully began to perform in 1653, when he began to take part in the ballet activities of the French court, which culminated in the Minuet. He was working with Moliere to produce the so-called Comedie Ballet, a mixture of theater and ballet, and his Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (The Little Gentleman), published in 1760, can be considered the most famous masterpiece of this kind of dance. Lully used ballet in his operas, as did his two successors, Campra and Rameau. Rameau's works, in particular, are more interesting due to the mixture of foreign flavors such as Mexican, healthy and Chinese. This is of course related to his personality and background. The English created a special ballet called the Masque. By the second half of the 17th century, Vienna had become the center of ballet performance. However, at that time, European ballet was in the debate between "tradition" and "innovation", between "rigor" and "lyricism", between "tradition" and "innovation", between "rigor" and "lyricism", between "tradition" and "innovation", between "rigor" and "lyricism". between "tradition" and "innovation", "strictness" and "lyricism", "pure dance art" and "title dance art", as well as "ballet" and "modern dance". and "ballet" and "modern dance". These concepts are still more or less alive today in the 20th century, and are sometimes debated.
Beginning in 1789, a number of early (pre-romantic) ballet masterpieces appeared, such as The Unstoppable Daughter. In the 19th century, there was a "romantic ballet" in Paris, the golden age of ballet history, introduced to the "Nymphs" (1832), "Giselle" (1841) and "Gerberia" (1870) as the representative of the heirloom, and then entered the "Classical Ballet" in Russia. Then in Russia, it entered the "Classical Ballet", the heyday of the whole ballet history, leaving a large number of classical repertoire led by the "Sleeping Beauty" (1890), "The Nutcracker" (1892) and "Swan Lake" (1895), which led to the formation of the idea that This has led to the formation of the concept of "dance theater is the highest form of dance". This concept was not realized until the 20th century, when "modern ballet" and "contemporary ballet" were successively born, especially when dance began to come out of the misunderstanding of "non-dance" and tried its best to return to the essence of movement. The Russian-American ballet master George Balanchine (1904-1910) is one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. Balanchine's (1904-1983) "pure ballet" (i.e., non-dance theater ballet, also known as "neo-classical ballet") began to occupy a dominant position, and only then ended the dominance of theater ballet. It was only after this that the dominance of theater ballet was ended. The world's first-class classical ballet companies are recognized as seven: the Kirov Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet of the former Soviet Union, the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre of the United States, the Royal Ballet of the United Kingdom, the Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris of France and the Royal Danish Ballet. Contemporary ballet has enjoyed unprecedented popularity and prosperity, represented by the Czech Jiri Kylián (1947- ) and his Netherlands Dance Theater and the American William Fawcett (1949- ). Fawcett (1949- ) and his Frankfurt Ballet in Germany.
Ballet classification
1. Musical ballet
The main purpose is to show the dancer's technique, such as Saint-Sa?ns' "The Dying Swan".
2. Dramatic ballet
As the name suggests, it is a ballet with a plot.
3. Romantic
Also known as "white ballet", the female dancers are known for wearing white bell-shaped sarongs. For example, Adam's "Giselle".
4. Classical School
Female dancers wear gorgeous short dresses, and male dancers to dance in the form of classical dance, such as Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake".
5. Modernism
For example, Stawinski's "Firebird".
6. Opera ballet
Ballet interspersed with opera, such as the ballet in the opera "Wilhelm Tell".
Shoes
Female ballerinas wear shoes with stiffened tips so they can dance on their toes without hurting their feet.
Body language
All ballet begins and ends with one of these five poses. These poses were created in the 18th century to achieve balance and make the feet look graceful.
Traditional classical ballet technique is based on the aesthetic of opening, stretching, and straightening. It consists of: five basic positions of the foot, three basic dance postures such as "arabesque" (arabesque), "attitudes" (attitude) and "ecarte" (ecarte); leg techniques: the various "battements" (battements) - including the extension of the leg, open and rond de jambo (the leg), and the "rond de jambo" (the leg), and the "rond de jambo" (the leg). rond de jambo (leg circles), etc.; jumps of various ranges and postures; spins; leg strikes; steps and linking movements; women's pointe technique; supporting and lifting techniques for pas de deux; and "port de bras". These basic movements (elements) of classical ballet, like letters, the choreographer uses these "letters" to write out the personality, identity, emotions, and the status and role of the characters in the development of the plot, and then arranges, combines, and composes the figurative dance vocabulary according to a specific structural approach to express the plot and create a variety of artistic charm of the dance image.
The five basic positions of the feet:
First position: two heels are close to each other in a straight line, the toes are 180 degrees outward
Second position: two heels are a foot's length away from each other, the foot is twisted outward, and the two feet are in a straight line
Third position: the two heels are overlapped before and after the placement of the toes are open outward
Fourth position: the two feet are kept a foot's distance before and after, and the toes of both feet are open outward
Fourth position: two feet are kept a foot's distance from each other, and the toes of both feet are not open outward. Vakanova school (Russian school)
First position: hands in a natural circle in front of the face in front of the belly
Second position: hands stretched out at the side, in the line of sight, palms facing inward
Second position: hands stretched out at the side, in the line of sight, palms facing inward
Second position: hands stretched out at the side, in the line of sight, in the line of sight, palms Inwardly facing
Third position: hands raised in the line of sight above the head
2. Chogdian (Italian)
First position: hands hanging down in a natural circle, fingers touching the side of the thighs
Second position: hands stretched out at the side
Third position: one hand in front of the body with palms inwardly facing, the other at the side
Fourth position: one hand in front of the body with palms facing inwardly facing, the other at the side
Third position: one hand in front of the body with the palm facing inwardly facing. Fourth position: one hand in front of the body at the same level as the diaphragm, then simultaneously raised above the head.
Classical tutu
The length of the skirt, not exceeding the knee, is short, but there are sleeveless sleeves, long sleeves, lantern sleeves, etc.
1, pure white classical tutu
such as the white swan in Swan Lake
2, all black or bright red
The former, for example, the black swan in Swan Lake
3. Lantern sleeves with an undershirt
For example, Cornelia, the doll played by Swanida in the second act of "Cornelia."
4. Long sleeves with an undershirt, decorated with bead embroidery
5. Different colors of the top and bottom of the tutu
Romantic tutu
It is a tutu with a skirt that reaches almost to the ankle, in the shape of a hanging bell. near the ankles, into a hanging bell type, with sleeveless, lantern sleeves in white, pale, lilac and other colors.
1. Romantic tutu with lantern sleeves
For example, "Dance of the Four" and "Rosebud".
2. Tulle dresses on the arms or shoulders when playing a leprechaun, e.g. Giselle, Act II, Nymphs
3. Village girl style tutus
Vests with lantern sleeves and lovely patterns on the belly, e.g. Giselle, Act I, Corbélia, The Daughters of the Wind.
Roles
Classical ballet has its own specific structure and form, through the artistic director, choreographers, dancers, lighting and sound, costumes, sets, ...... professional theater staff work closely together, in order to complete the presentation in front of the audience.
If we can have a basic understanding of the ballet stage type, watching ballet performances will be able to get great fun and **** Ming. Ballet performances are mainly composed of the following three roles:
1, the protagonist: the protagonist is the core character of the story, the dancers need to have a certain level of skill and physical strength, and most importantly, to have a high level of dance literacy and character, in order to interpret the characters in the play. Classical ballet pas de deux is the center of gravity of the entire dance drama, mostly by the male and female protagonists, classical ballet pas de deux structure in the order of the male and female protagonists of the pas de deux, then the male protagonist solo, the female protagonist solo, and finally the finale (coda) pas de deux, the protagonist of the artistic qualities and skill levels will be presented in the pas de deux.
2. Soloists: those who can perform alone or with three or four dancers with the skills of a lead dancer.
3, group dancers: group dancers although the dance steps are relatively simple, but the complexity of the picture changes, the atmosphere of the whole scene is to play a pivotal role in dragging the position of each group dancers are very important, as long as there is a person messed up the footsteps, the overall picture will be affected.
Dance terminology
A dance image: the art of dance as a means of shaping the image of the character dynamic image, technical human posture, modeling, footwork and other actions with the help of music, stage art, make-up, costumes and other artistic factors to produce a visual effect with appreciation value. With visibility, mobility, aesthetic characteristics, is the dance appreciation process is perceived, the main object of knowledge and embodies the main body of the aesthetic value of dance art.
Two, dance expression: according to the real-life psychological activities and the customary characteristics of the expression, after refining and artistic processing, with different forms of dance to summarize and show the joy, anger, sadness, happiness and other inner emotional changes. In addition to the facial expression coordinated with the movement, rhythmic movements, gestures, gestures and modeling, can also produce a rich artistic infection of the dance expression.
Three, dance movement: the basic means of expression of dance art. It originates from the imitation of human emotion and various dynamic things in nature. Mainly include:
1, a single action, that is, a part of the human body for the initiative, other parts of the static or moving action;
2, composite action, refers to all parts of the human body at the same time in accordance with a certain order, specifications of the action;
3, action combination. Generally refers to the training of dance skills for the main purpose, there are more than two single action or composite action in a certain order, direction, speed and amplitude of the combination and changes in the composition of the continuity of the action skating, flexion and extension, kicking, jumping, rotating, etc.
4, the movement of the body parts at the same time in accordance with certain specifications.
Four, folk dance (folk dance): refers to the generation and spread in the folk, subject to folk culture, improvisation, but the style is relatively stable, in order to self-indulgence as the main function of the dance form. Folk dances of different regions, countries and nationalities have very obvious differences in performing skills and styles due to the influence of living environment, customs, lifestyle, national character, cultural traditions, religious beliefs and other factors, as well as the physical limitations of performers' age and gender. Folk dance is not lacking in simplicity, variety of forms, rich content, vivid image and other characteristics, has always been the countries of the classical dance, court dance and professional dance venture indispensable source of material.
Fifth, social dance (social dance): also known as ballroom dance (ballroom dance) refers to the European Renaissance since the popularity of the court dance and popular in recent times in a variety of social places of dance. The name and the dance music used, as well as the basic dance steps, formations, styles and dance performances in order to follow the Italian, British, French, German, Spanish and other countries folk dance characteristics.
The Bronte, Minuet, Gavotte, Polonaise, Liandre, Polka, Mazurka, Gallop, Waltz had been popular at the courts of European countries.
After the French Revolution, the form of court dances has been far from being able to meet the needs of social interaction between the various social strata, mass public **** ballroom came into being on the European continent, and gradually replaced the court dances will become the main place of social activities.
The dance is simple and easy to learn, the form of free, easy to improvise and vent their emotions in the public **** ballroom dance is highly favored, social dance and thus quickly integrated into the cultural life of the civilian class.
Six, ballet (ballet): French translation. Specifically refers to a certain action norms, skills, and aesthetic requirements of the European classical form; or general refers to the human body movements, gestures to express the content of the drama to promote the development of the plot, as well as the expression of a certain mood, mood, psychological state and behavior of the dance expression form. The former is sometimes translated as "dance drama". ballet word from the ancient Latin ballo, the original meaning for the public to dance a certain style of dance, and no theater performance meaning. Ballet as a stage art form, began in the Renaissance Italian court in the grand feast entertainment activities. Later by the Princess of Florence - Medici Catherine brought this dance form into the French court. 1581, the French court performance of the first ballet "Queen's Comedy Ballet" in Europe caused great repercussions, the courts of various countries have to follow suit, and the ballet as a model of court entertainment, 1661 French King Louis XIV In 1661, King Louis XIV of France created the Royal Academy of Dance in Paris, and then authorized the establishment of the Opera House in Paris in 1669, which ended the golden age of "court ballet". After ballet entered the theater, it went through the stages of "comedy ballet" and "singing ballet". 18th century, "plot dance" and related theories became more and more perfect, and ballet changed completely from being dependent on the theater. In the mid-18th century, "melodrama" and related theories were perfected, and ballet completely changed its dependence on drama and opera, and only performed interludes between scenes, developing into a theater art form with serious social significance by promoting the development of the plot with dance and music. the early 19th century was another golden age in the history of the development of ballet, and there were major breakthroughs in the content and subject matter, techniques and performances as well as in performance forms, etc. Pointe dance techniques gradually became the mainstay of female performers' art. Pointe technique gradually became the main means of performance for actresses, and a set of systematic and scientific training methods were accumulated. Influenced by the Romantic cultural trend, the development of ballet in European countries paid more attention to the expression of national spirit and temperament, and formed different styles of ballet schools such as Italian school, French school, Russian school and Danish school, etc. Since the 20th century, Russia has replaced Italy and France to become the center of the development of traditional ballet. In the 20th century, Russia replaced Italy and France as the center of traditional ballet development. On the stage of European and American countries, modern ballet of different styles and schools gradually showed vigorous development momentum, thus injecting new vitality into the development of ballet art.
Seven, plot dance: ballet terminology. The original meaning refers to the structure of the situation is relatively stable, and the development of the plot has a direct link to the dance. Romantic period, the basic structure of the plot dance situation is: "out", slow duet, male and female solo and all the actors to participate in the final group dance.
Eight, dance drama: (dance-drama) to dance as the main means of expression, and comprehensive music, art, drama, literature and other forms of art, performance of a particular drama content, mood, character image, emotion, psychological state and behavior, as well as to promote the development of the plot of the stage performance art. Due to the needs of the plot or the different styles of the times and characters, dance dramas can choose or comprehensively utilize classical dance, folk dance, character dance, modern dance, court dance, or ballroom dance and other forms of performance, as well as having choreographed solo, duo, trio, group, duo, trio, group, group, and other styles of dance. Chinese dance drama has a long history, originating from the court music and dance of the slave society. There is no clear conceptual definition of European dance theater and "ballet".
Nine, group dance: (group dance) one of the dance styles. Generally refers to the folk dance "group dance" stage performance form, that is, more than three people, the number of different people dance. The picture of the group dance, composition varies, requiring performers to move neatly, unified style, with tacit understanding, and thus has a rich artistic expression. (1) Dance works with independent contents and themes and complete plots. Chinese dance "touching the snail", "grassland female militia", "under the grapevine", Russia's "small birch tree", North Korea's dance "in the spring", "picking apples", the United States of America's modern dance "Imagery" and so on are all the success of the work of the group dance. (2) In large-scale dance works, sometimes because of the picture, composition needs, or to highlight the main characters and strengthen the dramatic effect, group dance often interspersed with some solo, duo, trio dance passages, such as "Fairies", "Swan Lake" and other ballet scenes in the solo and duo dance. (3) dance drama and large-scale dance for the atmosphere of the whole situation and choreographed group dance, such as the Chinese dance drama "Red Detachment of Women" in the "female warrior dance", "hats dance", the Russian ballet "Swan Lake" in the swan dance and so on.