1. History of Dance Romantic Ballet 1830-1870

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DG p0qUcuuM&index=3&list=PLiyiYylidm92 CM8ryyBDH6M_9nudeFv6H http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DG p0qUcuuM&index=3&list=PLiyiYylidm92 CM8ryyBDH6M_9nudeFv6H

3. Romantic Ballet Born in France Reflects the romantic movement in the arts, this influenced all the arts and focused on human emotions and irrationality, which led to a fascination with the supernatural. Stories of ghosts and spirits were very popular.

4. Characteristics of Romantic Ballet Contrasted the ideas of the real and the unreal. To show contrast these ballets were often split into 2 distinct sections; for example in Giselle (1841): Act 1 is set in the reality of Giselle’s village (folk dancing – simple step and floor patterns) and Act 2 in a forest haunted by ghosts (supernatural scenes showing the lightness and elusiveness of spirit creatures.

5. Show video of Giselle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xh YcGbqqf8&list=PLiyiYylidm92CM8ryyBD H6M_9nudeFv6H&index=6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xh YcGbqqf8&list=PLiyiYylidm92CM8ryyBD H6M_9nudeFv6H&index=6

6. Development of ballet To represent these creatures dancers began to reach up and out in an attempt to suspend themselves above the ground (as though hovering). This led to the development of new movements such as an arabesque.

7. A natural development of reaching up was for dancers to raise higher and higher onto their feet – eventually onto their toes – en pointe

8. Dancers costumes also changed – they became light and the skirts came to the knee. Men wore breeches that came down to the knee and a shorter jacket.

9. The Corps de Ballet Romantic Ballets used large groups of dancers to: Frame the action taking place on stage and enhance the atmosphere Portray characters, e.g the village peasants, who perform folk dances. Perform in unison so that images are multiplied across the stage. Travel across the stage to create images of flight.

10. Corps de Ballet