When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the ballet dancers on TV – their poise, their persona, their attitude – I tried to mimic it all. It won’t come as a surprise that I stumble quite often trying to replicate their moves. With the passage of time, the intensity of my curiosity has decreased, but even now, whenever a clip of anything related to ballet flashes across the screen, my eyes are glued to it – they get a shine that only comes with sincere admiration of something.
Not only me, but ballet dance also has this effect on a lot of people. With so many styles out there, ballet still thrives on being one of the most popular dance forms. It has remained categorically true to its original form in a world where the cultural trends are changing at a really fast-pace. Over centuries, Ballet has managed to maintain its hold among the dancers and their admirers and has stayed popular.
Ballet showcases grace that stems from hardcore discipline. It demands respect. No matter who you are, you could have two left feet and zero knowledge of dance, but as soon as you see someone put on ballet shoes, your heart automatically commends their endurance for their art.
History of Ballet Dance
The history of ballet’s popularity can be traced back to the 1500s when it was introduced to France when Catherine de Medici of Italy got married to the French King Henry II. She introduced various early dance styles into court life in France. It evolved over time and in 200 years , around the 1850s . It came close enough to what we know of ballet today. In America, though, its popularity reached its peak in the 1930s.
Ballet – emotionally and visually evocative, the expression of art and movement, the romantic undertone in every hop, slide, courtesy, resonates with the hearts and minds of dancers and admirers alike.
Ballet has captivated audiences for centuries onstage. It is no surprise that movies started using ballet as not only the main focus of the storyline but also as a way to illuminate human emotion and endeavors. When it has no definite relation to the storyline, the movements are used to express the music, mostly classical and orchestral, with the undertone of emotions with every turn and split.
The current rendition of ballet is popular in cinema and involves a lot of choreographic innovations. The style that is portrayed through the screens, though it holds the same magic of the form, is a more modern take on the traditional dance form – with the intertwining of classical forms, traditional stories and contemporary toe dancing. The ballet helps accentuate the dramatic storytelling in both the opera house and the cinema.
Not only that, but a well-choreographed and well-executed pas de deux (duet in which two dancers, typically a male and a female, perform ballet steps together) is incredible to watch. It helps create the illusion that the audience is part of the show, the emotions portrayed gives the viewer the feeling of being swept away, and the total experience of the performance leaves the audience feeling exquisite.
Ballet Dance Costume
The ballet helps the story to be expressed without words, and it helps create pure magic on stage – the lights, the costumes, the makeup, the music, everything is used to give the audience the best experience.
The costumes that suit the dance form
Also Read: Top 10 Most Romantic Dance in the World.
The techniques of ballet – from the identifying pointe technique to Grand Jeté, Plié, Fouetté to Alignment technique – helps the ballet dancers to hold their form and the correct posture, this helps them to help avoid injury and to develop the aesthetics of the dance. This also helps the learners to move their body with grace and hold good posture.
Benefits of ballet dance
Learning ballet for beginners is a way of improving their lifestyle. It teaches you the grace and elegance that you portray to the world and the dedication and discipline that you use to improve yourselves.
Taking a ballet class and learning ballet facts can provide you with a new hobby. Not only that, but knowing about ballet also makes you come across as a person with taste. It is one of those timeless arts that will never go out of style and will always be associated with an aura of class. Not every ballet dancer wants to go on stage, but it is a great opportunity to exercise and strengthen your core and balance.
Art like this, which requires years of training and practice, an immense amount of discipline and a high level of endurance, cannot be found in many modern genres of dance forms. This makes the classic ballet dance a much more admired form in the dance community. It is considered the foundation of most dance forms. It is a starting point for many other styles such as modern, contemporary, lyrical and neo-classical.
It is suitable not only for a formal evening date but also for a casual performance to be watched with friends. The different types of ballet, such as classical, romantic, neoclassical, and contemporary, makes it ideal for many different social events. This is how ballet has managed to stand the test of time and stay popular, and it doesn’t look like it will ever go out of style.
Types of Ballet Dance Styles
There are four different ballet dance styles that have shaped the evolution of the art form:
1. Romantic Ballet: was heavily influenced by the Romantic era in the nineteenth century, when some of the recognizable aspects of ballet emerged, like pointe work and tutus. This dance style mainly emphasized emotion, lyricism, and drama in its narratives, and led to a rise in female dancers—whereas previously, male dancers dominated the stage.
2. Classical ballet: is a traditional form of ballet, usually accompanied by an orchestra and with a story-driven narrative that is anchored by a female ballerina. The movements often emphasize the weightless and extension lines of the ballerina, focusing on fluidity and outward leg rotation. The sets are constructed, and the performers wear intricate costumes to present the narrative.
3. Contemporary ballet: this form incorporates some classical ballet elements, such as acting and some pointe techniques, and allows for a wider range of upper body movement than classical ballet. It can also be performed barefoot.
4. Neoclassical ballet: Emerging in the 1920s, this style is less structured and more abstract than the other forms of ballet. It is a response to the prevalent, dramatic elements of romantic ballet, and does not make use of traditional ballet elements like costumes, sets, or narratives.
Initial stage for Ballet Dancers
Learn ballet basics, whatever your age and wherever you are.
1. Choose a comfortable and open space to practice ballet
Before starting to practice ballet dance, one must make sure that they can practice in an area where they can freely move. The last thing you want is to bump your toe on a leg table. Clear things that come in your way while dancing. If you are going to dance in the living room, make sure to move the chairs, tables, or anything that might get in your way.
2. As a barre alternative, find something strong and stiff to lean against
Beginners first need a chair or a table to practice their movements. Instead of a ballet barre, a normal table or a stiff chair can be used as a prop against a wall and can be great alternatives.
3. You don’t have to buy pointe shoes
If you are still learning how to ballet dance, you just need your ballet shoes at first, so you can put your pointe shoes away for now.
4. Start with the basics
You have to learn the basics first. Start with basic foot and arm positions for beginners. You first have to do a lot of basic foot and arm movements.
5. Enrol for ballet classes
Nowadays, we can learn anything online, enrol in ballet classes, or learn independently.