Untitled Flashcard Set

The Nutcracker

A two-act ballet about a young girl's Christmas Eve dream, choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, with music by Tchaikovsky.

The Sleeping Beauty

A classical ballet in three acts choreographed by Marius Petipa, featuring a fairy tale princess cursed to sleep for 100 years.

Coppélia

A comedic ballet about a young man falling in love with a life-size doll, first performed in 1870 with music by Léo Delibes.

Giselle

A quintessential Romantic ballet about love and betrayal, featuring ghost-like Wilis; first performed in 1841.

La Sylphide

Considered the first Romantic ballet, telling the story of a Scottish farmer in love with a sylph, premiered in 1832.

Firebird

A ballet with music by Igor Stravinsky, telling a story of Russian folklore and featuring a magical firebird, premiered in 1910.

Apollo

A neoclassical ballet choreographed by George Balanchine, depicting Apollo's maturation, premiered in 1928.

Petrouchka

A ballet about three puppets brought to life during a carnival; premiered in 1911 with music by Igor Stravinsky.

L'Apres Midi d'un Faun

A controversial ballet choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, known for its sensual choreography and premiered in 1912.

Le Sacre du Printemps

A ballet that caused a riot at its 1913 premiere, depicting a pagan ritual, choreographed by Nijinsky.

Les Sylphides

A one-act ballet set to music by Frédéric Chopin, evoking the Romantic era, often called a 'ballet blanc'.

Spectre de la Rose

A short ballet featuring a young girl's dream of dancing with the spirit of a rose, choreographed by Michael Fokine.

The Prodigal Son

A dramatic ballet choreographed by George Balanchine, retelling the biblical parable, premiered in 1929.

The Three-Cornered Hat

A colorful, Spanish-themed ballet premiered in 1919, choreographed by Léonide Massine.

Pas de Quatre

A famous plotless ballet showcasing four of the greatest ballerinas of the Romantic era, choreographed by Jules Perrot.

Alexander Gorsky

Russian choreographer known for introducing naturalistic movement and dramatic realism to ballet in the early 20th century.

Anna Pavlova

Iconic Russian prima ballerina known for her ethereal grace, famous for the role 'The Dying Swan'.

August Bournonville

Danish choreographer known for the Bournonville style, characterized by light, joyful footwork.

Auguste Vestris

Celebrated French dancer known for his virtuosic technique and elevation during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Bronislava Nijinska

Polish dancer and choreographer, sister of Vaslav Nijinsky, known for her works for the Ballets Russes.

Carlo Blasis

Italian dancer and theorist who wrote 'The Code of Terpsichore,' standardizing classical ballet positions.

Carlotta Grisi

Italian ballerina renowned for her expressiveness and lyrical quality, famous for her role in Giselle.

Camargo & Salle

Rival ballerinas known for contrasting styles; Camargo for technical virtuosity and Salle for dramatic expression.

Charles Didelot

Dancer and choreographer known for his innovations in Russian ballet and introducing pointe work.

Filippo Taglioni

Italian choreographer considered a pioneer of the ballet blanc style; choreographed La Sylphide.

Gaétan Vestris

French dancer known for his technique and noble bearing in the 18th century, father of Auguste Vestris.

George Balanchine

Father of American ballet known for his neoclassical style and co-founder of New York City Ballet.

Jean-Georges Noverre

Choreographer who advocated for ballet d'action, emphasizing narrative and character expression.

Léonide Massine

Russian choreographer known for character ballets and innovative choreography for the Ballets Russes.

Louis Dupré

Renowned French dancer known for his majestic presence in the 18th century, called 'the god of dance'.

Marius Petipa

French ballet master who dominated Russian ballet, creating over 50 ballets including The Sleeping Beauty.

Michael Fokine

Russian choreographer known for his reforms in ballet, emphasizing unity of design and expressive movement.

Sergei Diaghilev

Russian impresario who founded the Ballets Russes, commissioning revolutionary works in the early 20th century.

Taglioni and Elssler

Two rival ballerinas during the Romantic era; Taglioni was ethereal, while Elssler was dramatic and sensual.

Vaslav Nijinsky

Legendary Russian dancer and choreographer known for his extraordinary leaps and groundbreaking choreography.

Ballet Russes

A revolutionary ballet company founded by Sergei Diaghilev in 1909, known for its innovative works and artists.

Bolshoi

One of the oldest and most prestigious ballet companies, based in Moscow, known for its dramatic style.

Kirov/Mariinsky

Ballet company in St. Petersburg, historically known for classical purity and preservation of Petipa's repertoire.

Opéra-Ballet

A French theatrical genre combining elements of opera and ballet, popular in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The two main traits of Romantic ballets

Emphasis on the supernatural and the ballerina as the central figure, embodying an idealized feminine ideal.

The development of Russian ballet

Significantly grew in the 18th century with the establishment of ballet schools and flourished under Marius Petipa.

The Dying Swan

A short, iconic solo choreographed by Michael Fokine for Anna Pavlova, symbolizing grace and fragility.

The French Revolution

Led to a decline in aristocratic patronage and a shift towards public theaters for ballet performances.

The Industrial Revolution

Brought social changes that contributed to the rise of public ballet, with themes often serving as escape from realities.

The Romantic Era

A period in ballet characterized by escapism, supernatural themes, and focuses on the ethereal ballerina.

The three categories of dance styles during the 1700s

Danse Noble, Demi-Caractère, and Comique/Grotesque, differentiating styles based on character and movement.