The History of Ballet as a Form of Performing Arts
Ballet includes a wide variety of different movements. When ballerinas dance, the movements are soft and flowing, giving the illusion that the performer is so dainty as to be dancing on air. These movements can also be very strong and powerful. Ballet dancers require great strength, balance, and flexibility. Female ballet dancers often dance en pointe. Pointe shoes are designed so a ballerina can dance on the very tip of her toes. Ballet dancers are able to have these shoes after many years of intense training to strengthen their muscles to be able to hold the dancer’s body weight.
Ballet emerged in the fifteenth century during the Italian Renaissance. It then evolved into a form of concert dance in France and Russia. Since then, it has become a common, highly technical form of dance based on French terminology, including its own vocabulary. Ballet started as an elaborate aristocratic entertainment, performed in the halls of grand estates and palaces by noble amateurs (for the most part, males). The earliest ballets were enactments of mythological events, focused mainly on gods and warriors, and featured incredibly stunning costumes and masks. Ballets blended dance, music, and song.
The dancer must be graceful to create an illusion of flowing effortlessly. The dancer acts as if he/she is gliding on top of a cloud. No matter how much pain a ballerina feels, he/she will always keep dancing with a smile on their face to entertain the audience. As a ballet dancer myself, I have always been taught to welcome and acknowledge my audience.
Ballet is a very technical form of dance. At all times, feet must be pointed, legs turned out, have good posture and lengthen the body, to always hide the heel of an extended leg and a ballerina also always lands on their toe. These techniques apply to all movements of ballet.
Ballet dancers must be strong to perform various dance manoeuvres. Core strength is particularly important as this promotes better balance, helps a dancer stay aligned and improves stability. Strong muscles in the core also decrease the risk of injury. Great strength is required for a ballet dancer to stand en pointe. Although a ballet dancer’s movements may appear effortless, a ballerina will often experience great pain, effortlessness is just an illusion. Many dancers love ballet as they can express emotions in a vivid way. The moment a dancer walks on stage, they are there with a purpose, a story to tell.
Overall, ballet has been influential across the globe becoming the foundation of many other genres of dance. The Italians invented it, the French evolved it, and Russia perfected it. Some different elements of ballet include: gracefulness, technique, strength, and expression. Each of these are included to create a ballet dance.
