Let us take a look at the impressive history surrounding the Imperial Russian Ballet. Even though ballet was or may have been invented in Italy and France initially, one can definitely say that this beautiful art form was refined and invigorated in Russia. Ballet developed and evolved in the 18th century in Moscow and St. … Read more
Marie Petipa was the daughter of famous choreographer Marius Petipa, but she has quite a tragic story behind her. Marie Mariusovna Petipa was born on the 29th of October 1857 in St. Petersburg. She studied classical ballet under her father Marius Petipa. Her mother was Maria Petipa. She made her debut at the Mariinsky Theater … Read more
Let’s take a closer look at the Romantic Ballet Era and two of the great choreographers of romantic era ballet productions. Rethinking the Sylph: New Perspectives on the Romantic Ballet (Studies In Dance History) This old and rare book can be purchased online and is invaluable for dance teachers and more advanced students or for … Read more
Before 1970, ballet was always the dominant dance style the world knew and loved. Today this is not so anymore as modern dance dominates our theaters more and more. Let’s look at some modern dance history. You can read about how early modern dance started by clicking here. Modern Dance History Retold By the 1970s … Read more
Let’s look at one of the most famous tragic stories of all time – The Romeo and Juliet Ballet Story. Here is a history lesson for you, as well as the synopsis of this famous ballet. Romeo And Juliet Ballet History When Diaghilev died in 1929, the many talented people that he had gathered around … Read more
The History Of The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Marius Petipa and Ivan Vsevolojsky wrote the story of The Sleeping Beauty Ballet originally, which was based on Charles Perrault’s 1697 fairy tale ‘The Sleeping Beauty In The Wood.’ Tchaikovsky wrote the music and then Marius Petipa designed the dances. The Sleeping Beauty Ballet was first presented at … Read more
La Bayadere Ballet is a huge spectacle of a production in four acts and seven scenes. The choreography was done by Marius Petipa and the music by Ludwig Minkus. The La Bayadere Ballet (meaning The Temple Dancer or The Temple Maiden) was first performed at the Bolshoy Theater, St Petersburg on the 4th of February 1877. Here is the … Read more
Tamara Platonovna Karsavina was born in St. Petersburg on the 10th of March 1885. She was the daughter of well-known dancer Platon Karsavin and she was lucky enough to study ballet dancing under famous teachers Paul Gerdt and Enrico Cecchetti at the famous Imperial School. Due to his own bitter experiences, Platon initially refused to … Read more
The Raymonda Ballet is a Russian ballet performed in three acts and four scenes. It was choreographed by Marius Petipa to music by Alexander Glazunov. Raymonda was first presented by the Imperial Ballet at the Imperial Mariinsky Theater on the 19th of January 1898 in St Petersburg, Russia. The Raymonda Ballet was specially created for … Read more
Michel Fokine was born Mikhail Mikhaylovich Fokine on the 23rd of April 1880 in St Petersburg. If you are wondering who Michel Fokine was, he was a dancer and choreographer that profoundly influenced the 20th-century classical ballet repertoire. In 1905 he composed The Dying Swan for Russian Ballerina Anna Pavlova. He was chief choreographer at … Read more