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For most of the 20th century, ballet was considered central to the cultural life in the western world. Even though the glory it once enjoyed in its heydays has waned a little, ballet is still a very much admired mix of art and dance. The art form is also vastly explored in cinema and other forms of media with movies such as Black Swan, First Position, Ballet 422, The Turning Point, Save the Last Dance, Flashdance and Dance, Girl, Dance. Thanks to this popularity of the dance form, ballet tickets still sell out quicker than you would imagine.
Some of the upcoming most iconic ballet performances include, The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, Romeo and Juliet, The Great Gatsby, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and many others. You will certainly not want to miss out on these wonderful performances!
About Ballet
Ballet is a type of dance that first developed during the Italian Renaissance and later developed further in France and Russia. Since then, the form of dance has spread far and wide, based on a largely French vocabulary. Ballet is now taught in various art and dance schools all over the world with each incorporating their own local cultural elements to the dance form.
Ballet is typically performed by formally trained ballet dancers. Traditional classical ballet is performed with classical music with the use of elaborate costumes and stage settings. Modern ballet, however, is performed in relatively simpler attire such as leotards and tights, and there is little or no use of elaborate sets and sceneries.
The Styles of Ballet
This dance form has evolved over the years since its first emergence during the Italian Renaissance. Earlier variations were based more on geographical origins, such as Russian ballet, French ballet and Italian ballet. Later variations incorporated the classical and non-traditional techniques of movement. Let’s take a look at some of the styles of ballet that have formed over the years.
Classical Ballet: This style of the dance is based mainly on the traditional techniques and vocabulary of ballet. Most of the classical ballet styles are related to specific training methods, named after their creators – such as the Cecchetti method or the Vaganova method. Some modern examples of this style of ballet are Swan Lake and the Nutcracker.
Romantic Ballet: This is an artistic movement part of the classical ballet. It has the same codified steps as the classical ballet but brings in new forms such as the pointe work, the dominance of females in ballet productions and a noted change from shorter tutus to more flowy and longer tutus. The themes of this kind of ballet emphasize a more aesthetic experience. The 1827 La Sylphide is said to be the first romantic ballet, while Coppelia is said to be the last.
Neoclassical Ballet: Neoclassical ballet is based on classical ballet techniques with an addition of abstract. Often, there is no clear plot of scenery and costumes and music notes are very diverse. This form of ballet offers a greater opportunity for innovation and diversity with the elimination of the necessary formalities.
Contemporary Ballet: This form of ballet can incorporate a variety of factors such as modern, jazz, ethnic or pedestrian – as long as the root of the entire performance is classical ballet. Experimentation in this style is common.
Notable Moments in Ballet in Recent Years
The beautiful, brutal and technical dance form of ballet is without doubt, the epitome of grace. Over the years, it has developed into a major force in the entertainment and the dance industry. Recent years have seen some developments in ballet that are worth noting.
Misty Copeland Became the First African American Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theater: Even though Copeland received some really harsh criticism in the earlier part of her career due to her unconventional looks, she worked hard and it paid off. Her achievement is one that made history in 2015.
The Series, Flesh and Bone: This series about ballet is packed with loads of drama. It followed the journey of a struggling ballerina as she tries to make her way through a tough industry. The series takes the audience through the harsh realities associated with this beautiful art form. The star of the series, Claire Robbins, even got a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
The Ballerina Project: The life of a ballerina is both tough and beautiful. And both these sides are aptly captured by the photographer Dane Shitagi in his work – The Ballerina Project. The Instagram account that went viral features countless images that show ballerinas in real life setups and display their perseverance and athleticism.
Ballet Made it to Cinema: After captivating audiences on stage for so long, it was only a matter of time before the art form made it into movies. The latest example of this is the movie Polina, released in 2017. Other examples include A Ballerina’s Tale (2015), Black Swan (2010), Billy Elliot (2000), Ballet 422 (2014) and The Red Shoes in 1948 among others.
Cheap Ballet Tickets
For people who love and appreciate this art form, the good news is that cheap ballet tickets might be available for the upcoming shows.
Shows to look out for in the near future include ballet performances of some of your favorite stories, such as the Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, The Great Gatsby, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Giselle, Diamonds, An American in Paris, My Fair Lady, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and many more. The shows are starting early in 2018 and will go on all the way to the end of the year. Keep checking in to ensure you don’t miss out on your favorite performances!
