Ballet has a rich history that spans more than half a millennium, bridging cultures and traditions from across the world. Different styles of ballet have evolved over time, from neoclassical to romantic, and every flavor of dance is unique. We’re here to break down the major styles and help you become an expert in the art form, so you know just what to look for at the theater this season.
Classical Ballet
Ballet originated in the Renaissance courts of the 16th century, quickly growing in popularity with nobility. In the 17th century, King Louis XIV of France frequently entertained his guests with court dances and even performed his own ballets. Louis XIV helped propel the art form forward by establishing the world’s first ballet school, the Académie Royale de Danse, where the building blocks of classical technique were established. The Academy developed the ballet terminology we know today, with descriptive names for steps derived from the French language, such as jeté (to throw) and fouetté (to whip). This explains why French is considered the language of ballet.
Classical choreography emphasizes the five basic positions, fluid port des bras, high extensions, and turnout of the legs and feet. When you hear “classical,” think of the steely pointework and elegant lines in THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, or the astonishing penchés of the Sugar Plum Fairy in THE NUTCRACKER. These ballets are often accompanied by ornate scenery and detailed costumes.
Romantic Ballet
As ballet moved into the Romantic era (late 18th and early 19th centuries), choreographers shifted their focus towards new storylines and techniques. Romantic ballets followed dramatic and sometimes tragic narratives and often incorporated supernatural elements. Choreographers also used extensive pointe work to showcase ballerinas in otherworldly, muse-like roles; dancing en pointe enabled dancers appear to float across the stage, perfect for ethereal roles like the woodland sprite in La Sylphide or the ghostly Wilis in Giselle.
If you’re unsure whether a ballet is classical or Romantic, just look at the tutus; the longer, soft, bell-shaped skirts of Romantic ballets are distinctively different from the short, stiff, platter-style tutus worn in classical pieces.
While not considered a true 19th century Romantic ballet, Sir Fredrick Ashton’s THE DREAM pulls heavily from Romantic influences as well as classical, championing whimsical characters, emotive choreography, billowing costumes, and the backdrop of a forest in the night. The Dream is a classic instance of how many works are unable to fit into just one style of ballet, due to their boundary bending storylines and choreographers who draw inspiration from multiple techniques.
Neoclassical Ballet
In the early 1900s, ballet made its way to the United States with legendary choreographer GEORGE BALANCHINE at the helm. A classically-trained dancer with an innovative approach to movement, Balanchine extended classical ballet technique by highlighting speed and attack. His choreography includes more modern, athletic, and explosive movements. His signature style broke free of the academic classical rules and paved the way for neoclassical ballet—a unification of the old and the new.
Many of Balanchine’s works strip away the costumes, sets, and plots so prominent in the Classical and Romantic eras and focus solely on the movement. Balanchine’s SYMPHONY IN THREE MOVEMENTS, is a quintessential example of these elements working together and marking a shift towards neoclassical aesthetics and a departure from the more elaborate and story-driven ballets that had dominated the art form in the 19th century.
Balanchine’s signature neoclassical approach to movement can also be seen in season opener JEWELS, where each act—Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds—features style influences from moments in his career to create a rich neoclassical tapestry.
Balanchine’s choreography is often characterized by movements that emphasize strong lines and lively contrasts. These elements are on full display when watching Rubies, the center section of Jewels defined by movements including flexed feet, angular shapes, and playful jogging.
Later in the season this style takes the stage in SPRING EXPERIENCE, where world renowned choreographer Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering offers a graceful portrayal of candid human connection through movement, showcasing his neoclassical approach that blends classical precision with theatrical expression.
