"The truest expression of a people is in its dance and its music. Bodies never lie." -Agnes de Mille
Introduction
The nineteenth century was one of the most important eras of ballet, particularly because this was the period in which many canonical ballets were created. Known as the Romantic Era, ballet, and formal ballet companies, began to flourish across Europe, especially in Denmark, Russia, and Italy. Many of ballet's greatest choreographers and ballet masters were working at this time, and ballet's "look" changed dramatically as well.
The Romantic Era
The influence of the Romantic era can be easily spotted in modern times. Much of the focus of ballet during this time was on creating ballets based around fantasy and fairy tales that included special creatures such as fairies and sylphs. To achieve this ethereal "look," the Romantic style emphasized soft, rounded lines, low arabesques and legs in general, and tilted heads. Auguste Bournonville, one of the most important masters of the Danish National Ballet, is credited with creating this style. To complement this technique, the Romantic tutu was developed. These skirts have many layers of tulle and create a "puffy" and round look, and the skirts typically stopped at mid-shin so that the audience could see the dancerss footwork. The bodice of the costumes was generally tight and low cut, to emphasize the dancers' small waist, and to complement the fashion of Europe's most elegant women at the time. Finally, these tutus were typically white or pastel in color, helping the dancers to look as if they were floating. The most common examples of Romantic era ballets that embraced all the traditional aspects of Romanticism are "La Sylphide," "Giselle," and "Pas de Quatre."
For ballets that focused more on traditional fairy tales and stories, ballet moved in another direction. Thanks to the Russians in particular, these ballets were extremely popular since they had a definite and easy-to-follow story line, the sets and costumes were quite extravagant, and the music was of the highest quality. Marius Petipa was primarily responsible for this. He worked extensively with Tchaikovsky to develop new ballets including "Swan Lake," "The Nutcracker," and "La Bayadère," and he focused on meshing highly technical dance with miming so that the audience could engage with the story. Most of Petipa's ballets survive today, with little to no modifications to the staging, especially for some of ballet's most important and well-recognized pas de deux. In order to show of the dancers' techniques, and to facilitate the complex movements involved in partnering, the classical tutu was developed. These were short and stiff, and gave the audience as much visibility of the dancers' legs as is possible.
Overall, the Romantic era of ballet is probably the most traditional one that has stood the test of time. All classical ballet companies include Romantic era ballets in their repertoire, and many contemporary and modern companies do modern versions of these ballets. Many of these can also be seen in theaters through the "Ballet in Cinema" program.
For ballets that focused more on traditional fairy tales and stories, ballet moved in another direction. Thanks to the Russians in particular, these ballets were extremely popular since they had a definite and easy-to-follow story line, the sets and costumes were quite extravagant, and the music was of the highest quality. Marius Petipa was primarily responsible for this. He worked extensively with Tchaikovsky to develop new ballets including "Swan Lake," "The Nutcracker," and "La Bayadère," and he focused on meshing highly technical dance with miming so that the audience could engage with the story. Most of Petipa's ballets survive today, with little to no modifications to the staging, especially for some of ballet's most important and well-recognized pas de deux. In order to show of the dancers' techniques, and to facilitate the complex movements involved in partnering, the classical tutu was developed. These were short and stiff, and gave the audience as much visibility of the dancers' legs as is possible.
Overall, the Romantic era of ballet is probably the most traditional one that has stood the test of time. All classical ballet companies include Romantic era ballets in their repertoire, and many contemporary and modern companies do modern versions of these ballets. Many of these can also be seen in theaters through the "Ballet in Cinema" program.
Notable People
Marius Petipa- choreographed many of the most traditional Romantic era ballets. He also worked extensively with Tchaikovsky to write the music.
August Bournonville- developed the Danish, or Bournonville, technique that emphasizes high jumps for males, and round, structured lines for women. His technique is still taught in the Danish schools and is the most prominent in the Danish National Ballet.
Agrippina Vaganova- developed the true Russian techinque of ballet that is taught across the world. He focused on creating long, straight lines, high extensions, and extreme body types (particularly focusing on tall, very thin dancers with extreme flexibility and very good, arched feet).
August Bournonville- developed the Danish, or Bournonville, technique that emphasizes high jumps for males, and round, structured lines for women. His technique is still taught in the Danish schools and is the most prominent in the Danish National Ballet.
Agrippina Vaganova- developed the true Russian techinque of ballet that is taught across the world. He focused on creating long, straight lines, high extensions, and extreme body types (particularly focusing on tall, very thin dancers with extreme flexibility and very good, arched feet).
Important Ballets
"Swan Lake"- the princess Odette is cursed by the evil wizard Rothbart to become a swan at night until she finds true love. She falls in love with a neighboring kingdom's prince, and the two agree to announce their engagement at a ball. Rothbart finds out about their plan, and uses his daughter, Odile, to trick the prince at the ball into thinking that she is Odette. He professes his love to her, and Odette, heartbroken, throws herself off a cliff and dies.
"Sleeping Beauty"
"The Nutcracker"
"La Sylphide"- a young man James has a vision of a beautiful sylph, and falls in love with her. However, James is betrothed to Effie, who in her excitement over the wedding, finds the old witch Magg to tell her fortune. The witch tells Effie that James loves someone else, which angers James, so he throws the witch out of the house. While Effie prepares for the wedding, the sylph comes to James and confesses her love, and the two share a kiss. Gurn, James' friend sees this and tells Effie, who believes that Gurn is simply jealous. During the ceremony, the sylph appears and steals the wedding ring, and James chases after her, but nobody else could see the sylph, so Effie believes that James has left her. Meanwhile, Madge makes a magic scarf and gives it to James, telling him to wrap it around the sylph so that she will always stay with him. James does so, but this causes the sylph's wings to fall off and she dies. James is heartbroken, and it is even worse when he realizes that Effie and Gurn are now engaged. Realizing that he has lost everything, James dies.
"Pas de Quatre"- a non-story ballet that showcased the time's four most prominent ballerinas, Lucile Grahn, Carlotta Grissi, Fanny Cerrito, and Marie Taglioni.
"Sleeping Beauty"
"The Nutcracker"
"La Sylphide"- a young man James has a vision of a beautiful sylph, and falls in love with her. However, James is betrothed to Effie, who in her excitement over the wedding, finds the old witch Magg to tell her fortune. The witch tells Effie that James loves someone else, which angers James, so he throws the witch out of the house. While Effie prepares for the wedding, the sylph comes to James and confesses her love, and the two share a kiss. Gurn, James' friend sees this and tells Effie, who believes that Gurn is simply jealous. During the ceremony, the sylph appears and steals the wedding ring, and James chases after her, but nobody else could see the sylph, so Effie believes that James has left her. Meanwhile, Madge makes a magic scarf and gives it to James, telling him to wrap it around the sylph so that she will always stay with him. James does so, but this causes the sylph's wings to fall off and she dies. James is heartbroken, and it is even worse when he realizes that Effie and Gurn are now engaged. Realizing that he has lost everything, James dies.
"Pas de Quatre"- a non-story ballet that showcased the time's four most prominent ballerinas, Lucile Grahn, Carlotta Grissi, Fanny Cerrito, and Marie Taglioni.