Russian ballet
Encyclopedia
Russian ballet is a form of ballet
characteristic of or originating from Russia
. In the early 19th century, the theaters were opened up to anyone who could afford a ticket. There was a seating section called a rayok, or 'paradise gallery', that consisted of simple wooden benches. This allowed non-wealthy people access to the ballet, because tickets in this section were inexpensive.
was a ballet company founded in the 1909 by Sergey Diaghilev, an enormously important figure in the Russian ballet scene. The headquarters of his ballet company was located in Paris, France. A protégé of Diaghilev, George Balanchine
, founded the New York City Ballet
in 1948. Today, the Kirov Ballet company (now known as the Mariinsky Ballet
) and the Bol'shoy company are two world-renowned Russian ballet companies that tour the world.
Other Russian ballet companies include:
There are also a number of companies who have been called, or included in their name, Moscow Ballet
.
, which was named after the very famous ballerina and teacher, Agrippina Vaganova
.
Many Russian dancers have gone on to reach worldwide acclaim; notable Russian dancers include:
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
characteristic of or originating from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. In the early 19th century, the theaters were opened up to anyone who could afford a ticket. There was a seating section called a rayok, or 'paradise gallery', that consisted of simple wooden benches. This allowed non-wealthy people access to the ballet, because tickets in this section were inexpensive.
Ballet Companies
The first ballet company was the Imperial School of Ballet in St. Petersburg in the 1740s. The Ballets RussesBallets Russes
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
was a ballet company founded in the 1909 by Sergey Diaghilev, an enormously important figure in the Russian ballet scene. The headquarters of his ballet company was located in Paris, France. A protégé of Diaghilev, George Balanchine
George Balanchine
George Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
, founded the New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
in 1948. Today, the Kirov Ballet company (now known as the Mariinsky Ballet
Mariinsky Ballet
The Mariinsky Ballet is a classical ballet company based at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Founded in the 18th century and originally known as the Imperial Russian Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet is one of the world's leading ballet companies...
) and the Bol'shoy company are two world-renowned Russian ballet companies that tour the world.
- Bolshoi BalletBolshoi BalletThe Bolshoi Ballet is an internationally renowned classical ballet company, based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia. Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi is among the world's oldest ballet companies, however it only achieved worldwide acclaim by the early 20th century, when Moscow became the...
- Mariinsky BalletMariinsky BalletThe Mariinsky Ballet is a classical ballet company based at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Founded in the 18th century and originally known as the Imperial Russian Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet is one of the world's leading ballet companies...
(formerly Kirov ballet)
Other Russian ballet companies include:
- Ballets RussesBallets RussesThe Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
, founded in 1909 - Maly Theatre Ballet - now The Mikhailovsky Ballet, founded in 1930s
- Moscow Classical Ballet, founded in 1966.
- Russian State Ballet of SiberiaRussian State Ballet of SiberiaThe Russian State Ballet of Siberia, is a classical ballet company based at the Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre, Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Founded in 1978 by graduates of the choreographic schools of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg.-Repertoire:In 2007, 2008 and...
, founded in 1978 - Vaganova Academy of Russian BalletVaganova Academy of Russian BalletThe Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet is a school of classical ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The school was previously known as the Imperial Ballet School, becoming the Leningrad State Choreographic Institute during the Soviet era...
, founded in 1738 as the Imperial Ballet School
There are also a number of companies who have been called, or included in their name, Moscow Ballet
Moscow Ballet
The name Moscow Ballet has commonly been applied to a number of different ballet companies, these include the:*Moscow Ballet, A Russian ballet company...
.
Methods
There are several methods of ballet in Russian ballet. The most widely used is the Vaganova methodVaganova method
The Vaganova method is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Russian dancer and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova . Fusing elements of traditional French technique from the romantic era, with the athleticism and virtuosity of the Italian school, the method is designed to work the body...
, which was named after the very famous ballerina and teacher, Agrippina Vaganova
Agrippina Vaganova
Agrippina Yakovlevna Vaganova was an outstanding Russian ballet teacher who developed the Vaganova method - the technique which derived from the teaching methods of the old Imperial Ballet School under the Premier Maître de Ballet Marius Petipa throughout the mid to late 19th century, though...
.
Dancers
See also
- Mariinsky BalletMariinsky BalletThe Mariinsky Ballet is a classical ballet company based at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Founded in the 18th century and originally known as the Imperial Russian Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet is one of the world's leading ballet companies...
- Bolshoi TheatreBolshoi TheatreThe Bolshoi Theatre is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds performances of ballet and opera. The Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera are amongst the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world...
- Vaganova methodVaganova methodThe Vaganova method is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Russian dancer and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova . Fusing elements of traditional French technique from the romantic era, with the athleticism and virtuosity of the Italian school, the method is designed to work the body...
- Brighton Ballet TheaterBrighton Ballet TheaterBrighton Ballet Theater is a not-for-profit dance organization. Established in 1987, it is situated in Manhattan Beach area of Brooklyn and located on the campus of Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York.-Overview:Three hundred students are enrolled and an additional...
- Glossary of ballet terms
External links
- Russian ballet
- Russian Classical Ballet and Modern Dance
- BBT/School of Russian American Ballet in Brooklyn, NY, USA
- The Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana, a professional Vaganova method school
- Russian ballet today: Who's who in Russian ballet - a professional community website with discussions, video channel, photos etc