Exam No. 3 Flashcards
how did the ballet Russes realize Noverre’s dream?
executed Noverre’s concept of unity.
Describe the choreography of the Ballet Russes ?
It went against traditional ballet and ballet formulas. Broke tradition.
- it had dances that reflected essence of that idea.
- taking out extra (ex. divertissements) and using essential.
who was Serge Diaghilev and how was he important in the development of ballet?
- NOT a dancer or choreographer.
- He was a theatrical promoter
- Intelligent company director and artistic producer.
- Special eye for putting amazing talents together.
- Proved that ballet was a serious/eloquent art and not frivolous diversion
- truly made the stale ballet of the early 20th century a major modern art form
Who were the 5 choreographers of the Ballet Russes ?
1) Michel Fokine
2) Vaslav Nijinsky
3) Leonide Massine
4) Bronislava Nijinska
5) George Balanchine
what are the dates of the original Ballet Russes ?
1909- 1929 (Diaghilev’s death)
Who were some of the lead dancers of Ballet Russe?
Michel Fokine, Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Tamara Karsavina, Mikhail Mordkin.
Who were some of the artists in Ballet Russe?
Picasso, Matisse, Braque, Benois. etc
Who were some of the costume designers of Ballet Russe?
Coco Chanel and Picasso.
Who were some of the composers ?
Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Richard Strauss, Satie. etc
Who is Michel Fokine? what did he contribute ?
- 1st Choreographer!
- Talented dancer and choreographer.
- Had a vibrant fashion sense (wore turbans and feathers )
-Produced: The dying swan, Scheherazade, Petrouchka, Spectre de la rose
-His ballets were tightly organized.
freed ballets from long,unnecessary divertissements. HE -ALWAYS FOUGHT AGAINST TRADITION.
-each dance had its own idea staying true to theme and each work was completely diff
Who was Vaslav Nijinsky?
- 2nd Choreographer
- Finest dancer of all time in Ballet Russe
- Amazing stage presence and technique
- Was Diaghlevs LOVER, and he fired Fokine just to have him as a choreographer.
- Ahead of his time but produced 2 choreographies:
1. Afternoon of a faun
2. The rite of spring.
What American dancer inspired Fokine, Nijinsky, and Pavlova?
Isadora Duncan, she was the American Barefoot dancer.
Who was Leonide Massine? What did he contribute ? What did he choreograph?
- 3rd Choreographer!
- diaghlev highly educated him to be the great next performer and choreographer for the company
- his choreography was witty and sophisticated.
- He played cobler in “The red shoes”
- Picasso was a great influence
-Produced “Parade” based on cubism by Picasso and “The three cornered hat” spanish feel, idea.
Who was Bronislava Nijinska? What did she choreograph?
- 4th Choreographer!
- Nijinsky’s sister
- choreographed only 2 works for company: “Les noces” and “Les Biches” .
Who was George Balanchine? Discuss his contributions?
- 5th choreographer!
- brought ballet to the US in a special way.
- he choreographed 10 productions for the company but only 2 survived: “Apollo” and “The prodigal son”
- He loved women and couldnt seperate profession/personal life he married many of his lead dancers.
How did Lincoln Kirstien contribute to the development of ballet in America?
A harvard graduate and from wealthy parents.
- Invited Balanchine to America and to bring Ballet to America.
- Help establish company financially.
- Almost like a Diaghilev for the Ballet Russes, but the difference is that he didn’t make artistic decisions like Diaghilev, he only financially pushed and supported the company; Balanchine made the artistic calls.
- “Serenade” was first successful ballet dance.
Name 4 American Ballet dancers of note in the 19th century?
- Augusta Maywood- born NY, age of 14 left to Europe and never came back.
- Mary Ann Lee- orphaned,acrobat,singer,burlesque, also went to Europe but came back. 1st American “Giselle”, failing health @ 24 stopped dancing.
- Julia Turnbull- replaced Mary Ann.
- George Washington Smith- undisputed male star, retired and started own dance school.
Name 4 American Ballet Companies of the 20th century?
- The New York City Ballet
- American Ballet Theater (ABT)
- Joffrey Ballet
- Dance Theater of Harlem
What dance is considered the beginning of the modern social dance?
The Waltz:
sybolizes the beginning of modern social dance because it changed social dancing from the “Minuet (OPEN COUPLE) to “Watlz( CLOSED COUPLE)
Describe the Waltz?
-Time of great innovation
- means revolve
-it derived from turning dances of german peasants.
-it was considered scandalous and difficult because couples
had to face each other.
-it had a magical and romantic feel to it, to be able to synchronize with another human being in a non sexual erotic way.
Who are some famous composers of the Waltz?
- Johannes Brahms
- Frederic Chopin
- Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
What is the Charleston, Lindy Hop, and Jitterbug?
they are all JAZZ social dances from the 1920’s:
charleston-sideway kicks and extreme speed
lindy hop- has no “hop” in it, its smooth and solid,COMBO of kicks, swings,steps.
jitterbug- like lindy hop tooken by white folks influenced by african american.
The twist was a popular dance in the ____ time period?
The twist was a popular dance of the the 50’s. A sexual liberation of 60’s nobody followed or led.
Name several popular dances in the 1960’s?
The twist, mashed potatoe, the swim, the jerk.
