1. Romanticism

2. Ballet… Continues to develop and remain popular New Conventions:
Pointe shoes become popular (defying gravity)
Skirts/tutus get shorter to show the more complicated steps that are developing

3. Star Ballerinas become the fashion…
Maria Taglioni (1804 – 1884)
1st to excel en pointe
Establishes the bell-shaped tutu as the norm
Originates the title role of La Sylphide (one if the first Romantic ballets)
(55:00) Paris, 2004

4. Star Ballerinas become the fashion…
Fanny Elssler (1810 – 1899)
Perfects the art of character dancing (acting & dancing)

5. Star Ballerinas become the fashion…
Fanny Cerrito ( )
Known as a dancer AND choreographer
Dances the pas de quatre with other ballerinas of the day
Studies technique with Carlo Blasis

6. Star Ballerinas become the fashion…
Lucile Grahn (
Was a dancer & ballet producer
Danced the Pas de quatre

7. Star Ballerinas become the fashion…
Carlotta Grisi ( )
Originates the role of Giselle
Dances in the pas de quatre
(London, Royal Ballet, 2007)

8. Code of Terpsichore 1830
Carlo Blasis (dancer, teacher, choreographer) writes this handbook for the teaching of ballet
It is still in use today, without many changes
Originates the “attitude” position
Teaches at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy

9. Social Dances 18th – 19th Century…
English Regency Period (1811 – 1820, Jane Austen – pre-Victorian era)
Group social dances
done in groups of couples
formal footwork
combinations of skipping, turning, & jumping

10. Social Dances
18th – 19th century dances Popular titles: Quadrille Polonaise Scotch Reel

11. Social Dances
Mid 19th century… English Victorian Era Polka craze of 1844!!– we usually think of this as a German thing, but is was found all across Western Europe

12. Social Dances Mid 19th century… English Victorian Era Popular dances:
Polka
Two step
Waltz

13. Social Dance Mid 19th century… The waltz!! Originates in Vienna
Involves sliding or gliding
Couples held each other so tight their
faces were often touching
Later, it develops to have versions
performed in 3/4 or 6/8 (sauteuse),
and 5/4 time (5/4 waltz, half and half)

14. Social Dance Late 19th century – early 20th century… Popular dances:
Large group dancing loses general popularity
New sounds change dance (ragtime)
Popular dances:
Cakewalk
Krakowiak
Mazurka
Waltz popularity keep on growing!!!

15. Waltz popularity keep on growing!!!
Social Dance
Late 19th century –
early 20th century…
Popular dances:
Cakewalk
Krakowiak
Mazurka
Waltz popularity keep on growing!!!

16. Romantic Theatre Central beliefs:
There is a higher truth than the physical (the spiritual )
The less sophisticated the person… the more “pure” he/she is
The physical side of a person is often at odds with the spiritual
One can only become a superior human being when one is in touch with the artist or philosopher in ourselves

17. German Romantic Theatre
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ( )
Writes Faust, parts 1 (1808) & 2 (1831)
It is significant because it’s a turn away from the standard Faust which is usually a morality tale
His Faust becomes a musical work and an opera for many of the best composers of the time

18. French Romantic Theatre
Literary works are translated for the stage: Victor Hugo’s Cromwell, Dumas’ 3 Muskateers and The Count of Monte Cristo
Edmond Rostand’s play, Cyrano de Bergerac

19. Melodrama melody + drama
Conventions…
Uses background music to heighten the emotional impact of a scene on the audience (lyrical music = love scene/ominous music – danger)
Use big, detailed scenery
Simplified characters (good or evil)
Stock characters with little character development
Actors use exaggerated movements & poses
Frantic chase scenes, duels, fights, etc.
Working –class audiences grow because of the added emotional appeals

20. Melodrama stock characters…
Villain Hero Villain’s sidekick Damsel in distress

21. Theatre Spaces… the giant Auditorium!
As interest increases, theatres are built with more and more capacity (2000+) in the proscenium style
Seats change from wooden benches to comfy, individual chairs
Sets are more elaborate (need to be seen)
Acting style is much more deliberate so that the voices project to everyone
Everything becomes more historically accurate
Technology develops… hydraulic lifts are built into the stage floor – gas lighting is used and can be controlled

22. The Auditorium Theatre, Chicago (opened 1889)

23. Teatro La Scala, Milan (opened 1778)

24. The Drury Lane Theatre, London (a. k. a
The Drury Lane Theatre, London (a.k.a. the Royal Theatre) (original built in 1663, current space built 1812)