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.
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 the steps like jeter (to throw) and fouetter (to whip). This explains why French is considered the language of ballet.
Classical choreography emphasizes the five basic postions, fluid movements, high extensions, and turnout of the legs and feet. When you hear “classical,” think of the procession of graceful arabesques in the excerpt KINGDOM OF THE SHADES, the steely pointework in CINDERELLA, 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 prima ballerinas in otherworldly, muse-like roles; dancing en pointe made ballerinas 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 bell-shaped skirts of Romantic ballets are a far cry from the short, stiff, platter-style tutus worn in classical pieces.
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 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.
This style strips away the costumes, sets, and plots so prominent in the Classical and Romantic eras, allowing the audience to focus solely on the movement. Consider the ballet Apollo. The ballet unfolds in a series of scenes that follow Apollo’s journey from infancy to maturity, highlighting his encounters with three Muses: Calliope (muse of poetry), Polyhymnia (muse of mime), and Terpsichore (the muse of dance and song). Each Muse imparts her respective artistic qualities to Apollo, contributing to his growth and understanding of his role as an artistic leader.
Balanchine’s choreography is characterized by its neoclassical style, which incorporates elements of traditional ballet technique while embracing modern and abstract movements. The dancers’ movements often emphasize strong lines, angular shapes, and dynamic contrasts. This style was a departure from the more romantic and narrative-driven ballets of the time.
Stravinsky’s music for Apollo is equally innovative. His score blends neoclassical elements with his distinctive rhythmic and harmonic language. The music features a clear structure, emphasizing simplicity and clarity while maintaining a sense of depth and emotional resonance. Stravinsky’s composition contributes to the ballet’s timeless quality and its connection to ancient themes.
One of the most iconic aspects of Apollo is its minimalist set and costumes. The dancers typically wear simple, flowing white costumes that enhance the purity and classical aura of the production. This minimalist approach allows the choreography and the dancers’ movements to take center stage.
Apollo is often considered a pivotal work in the history of ballet. It marked 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 choreography and Stravinsky’s music collaborated to create a masterpiece that emphasized the pure essence of dance, music, and artistic expression.
For example, instead of two bent legs to prepare for a turn, he extended the back leg to make the leg look longer. He also had his dancers spot the front so the audience could see the dancers face more. He opened up the hands so you could see all five fingers where normally in classical ballet, the hands are more closed. Balanchine wanted his dancers to dance bigger and faster. In regard to musicality, he wanted his dancers to be in time, and on time. Ballet is a performing art, and that is why Balanchine was so successful. Combining his knowledge of music and dance made him a successful choreographer.
