This document provides an overview of ballet history and vocabulary. It discusses how ballet originated in 15th century Italian court dance and was brought to France by Catherine de Medicis. Key developments included ballet performances moving from the palace to the theater under Louis XIII. Ballet came to America in 1837 and major figures like George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein founded the School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet. Balanchine is highlighted as creating over 400 works and influencing ballet in America. The document also outlines goals of understanding ballet steps, alignment rules, and Balanchine's impact. It provides a vocabulary list and discusses body placement rules and the five basic positions of ballet.

1. Ballet History and Vocabulary GOAL: 1. TO BE ABLE TO WRITE OUT THE STEPS OF BALLET AND THE MEANING. 2. TO UNDERSTAND THE ALIGNEMNT RULES IN RELATION TO BASIC ANATOMY. 3. TO DEEPEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF BALLET HISTORY AND GEORGE BALANCHINE.

2. WHERE DID BALLET COME FROM? 15th Century Court Dance of Italy Henry II of France marries Catherine de Medicis of Italy. Documentation began in 1444 in France LouisXIIImakes first appearance as public dancer in 1651 LouisXIIIfounds Academie Royale de la musique and ballet performances move from palace to theatre.

4. Early Ballet

5. How did Ballet get to America? 1837 First Appearances of ballet come to America from Russia and France. George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein Begin first major school of ballet in America in 1934, the future American Ballet Theatre 1935 Premier of “Serenade”

6. George Balanchine 1904-1983 St. Petersburg, Russia Balanchine created over 400 works including dances for Broadway, Hollywood movies, operas, the circus and the ballet. His range of choreography spanned the neoclassical (Agon, The Four Temperments, Symphony in Three Movements) to the story ballet (The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppelia) to the romantic (Vienna Waltzes, Jewels, Symphony in C). In 1933 at the invitation of Lincoln Kirstein, he came to America and co-founded The School of American Ballet in 1934 and the New York City Ballet in 1948.

7. George Balanchine Rehearsing

9. Cambre: arched

10. Grande Plie: big bend

11. Tendue: to touch

12. Degage: clear path

13. Rond de jambe: round with leg

14. Fondu: to melt

15. Frappe: to strike

16. Grand Battement: banging, slamming

17. Passe: to pass through

18. Retire: isolated

19. Developpe: developed

20. Pas de Bourreé: to cram or stuff

21. Balancé: to swing

22. Sautteé: to jump

23. Changement: change

24. échappe: slip out; escape

25. échappésautteé: jumping /escape

27. Chassé: chase

28. Piqué: prick/sting (will be using with passé)

29. Jeté: to throw

30. Arabesque: ornament

31. 1st arabesque

32. 2nd arabesque

34. 12 Body Placement Rules for Ballet Technique Head erect straight on top of spine, ears over shoulders chin up Diaphragm lifted (breathing muscles in rib cage Spine held straight up and lengthened Shoulders squarely over hip Eyes forward and focused Pelvis centered with the hips placed directly over the feet

35. 7. Abdomen (lower abdominal muscles) tightened and lifted8.Gluteal muscles contracted to pull down tailbone9. Thighs (quadriceps and hamstrings) pulled up with knees straight10. Feet must bear weight primarily over the metatarsals (long thin bones in the foot).11. Turn out from hip joints (ball and socket joint)12. SMILE

37. BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THESE FOR THE TEST

39. 5 Positions of the Feet Refer to page 139 in your ballet dictionary. Do you recognize these positions? Where do you know them from. What major joint of the body do we use to create these positions?