Oct. 17th 1999 The history of Dance is said to reflect the changes in the way people relate to their bodies, see the world, and experience the cycles of life. Cave paintings from 30,000-10,000 B.C. were found in Spain and France. These paintings contained drawings of figures with vivid movements. During the Ancient world dance was in civilizations of Rome, Greece, and Egypt.
Through the Middle Ages the Christen Church’s attitude toward Dance was two sided. One side rejected dance, they believed it was only lust, ecstasy, and sexual permissiveness. One the other side church fathers tried to include dances into seasonal celebration, and Christian feast days. In the dawn of the Renaissance, was the birth of Ballet. The first forms of Ballet were born in the court of Catherine de Madici (1519-89).
De Madici was the wife of Henry II.
They were born through the dance mater Balthazor de Beauthoyeulx. In 1581, he staged elaborate settings, and costumes. In 1661, Louis XIV of France granted the establishment for the first Acdemie Royale de Dance. Over the centuries Ballet developed into a discipline and art form evolving with time. In the 19th century Romantic Ballet was the story of the Ballerina and the struggle between and an earthly world and a spiritual world. Such Ballet classics came forth: Giselle (1841), Swan Lake (1895), and the Nutcracker(1892).
The Essay on Dance Ballet Balanchine Theater
George Balanchine was born in St. Petersburg on Jan 22, 1904, into a very musical family and began studying the piano at age 5. He had a classical education in acting and dance training, beginning at age 9, from the Imperial Theater School in St. Petersburg. It was originally thought that young Georgi would become one of the Tsar's cadets, so it was with the thought that if things didn't work out ...
During the same time the political powers of Europe were taking over Africa, Asia, and Polynesia.
Drumming and dances were banned, for being too sexual. At the turn of the century with the threat of World War I the arts reflected more of questioning values. There began a search for new forms that showed individual expression. Sergey Diaghilev the Russian impresario became the visionary of dance In Europe. He revived Ballet with some of the greatest composers, choreographers, and designers. His collaborators included Ana Pavlov, Stravinsky, Pablo Picasso, and the Choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky. He specialized in unusual footwork and body movement.
In 1913 his Ballet, Le Sacre du Printemps almost started a riot at it’s premiere in Paris. In our recent times ballet is still the most respected form of dancing. Ballet is different from all other forms of dance. I personally believe that it is the hardest form of dancing. It is discipline, and you need to follow a rigorous schedule. Ballet develops undeniable grace and poise.
Many young people train years to become Ballerinas, and only a few will ever make it. The pay is not all that impressive either. Most people dance because ti is what they love. It makes them feel connected to their bodies both physically and mentally. There have been many Ballerinas through the years. I believe that Maria Tallchief has made the biggest impact on America. She is America’s first prima ballerina. Maria first studied ballet with Bronislava Nijinsky, then danced with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo until 1946.
As an American, Maria stood out and she also had to overcome stereotypes to move forward. The realm of the Russians and the French was that Americans were not suppose to dance Classical ballet. When Tallchief left the company her and her then husband Legendary choreographer George Balanchine, moved to New York City. He choreographed stand-out roles for her. Ballets like Firebird and Swan Lake. These pieces brought her to international stardom.
Maria danced
