1. Ballet History The Romantic Era

2. Pre-Romantic Period Early 19 th Century In the early 1800s much of the codified steps that are still used today were already in place. The tutus that the women began to wear were shorted to what was unheard of lengths (just above the ankle). The invention of the pointe work was developed at this time. Marie Taglioni, an Italian dancer, is known to be the first dancer to perform en pointe. She was eighteen years old at the time.

3. Romantic Ballet 19 th Century The Romantic Movement of the 19 th Century brought forth classical ballets such as Giselle and La Sylphide. These ballets were often concerned with the supernatural world of spirits and magic and often showed women as passive and fragile. While most ballets were created by men there was a significant decline in male performers in the period. The female ballerina became the star and men took on more of a character role making it an unacceptable career for men.

4. Romantic Ballet 19 th Century During this time pointe work became the norm for the ballerina to give the female lightness and an ethereal quality. The costumes of this time were the romantic tutu, a calf-length, full skirt made of tulle. Marie Taglioni continued to become one of the great ballerinas of the Romantic Era along with Fanny Elssler, Carlotta Grisi and Fanny Cerrito.

5. Romantic Ballet 19 th Century Taglioni and Elssler held a great rivlery even though they had very different styles. Elssler was known to be fiery, exotic and sexy while Taglioni was great at creating uneathly, spiritual characters. In 1845 the four ballerinas took the stage together to perform the Pas de Quatre, choreographed by Jules Perrot. The performance was an immediate success but only ran for six performances.

6. Romantic Ballet 19 th Century In the second half of the 19 th Century we begin to see a decline of Ballet in Paris. Male dancing was being neglected and few ballets of note were being created with the exception of Coppelia. With the decline of the male dancer the male lead of Coppelia had to be performed by a woman.

7. Names to Remember Ballerinas: Carlotta Grisi, Marie Taglioni Fanny Elssler Fanny Cerrito Notable Ballets: Giselle La Sylphide Coppelia