Popularization of Ballet in America Flashcards

1
Q

John Durang

A

One of most important dancers during the 1700’s

Known for his hornpipe dance

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2
Q

4 Ballet Stars during the 1800’s

A

Mary Ann Lee
Julia Turnbull
Augusta Maywood–influenced musical theater
George Washington Smith (partnered with Essler on tour to America)

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3
Q

The Black Crook

A

First real musical ever made - 1866
Story about a pact with the devil
Very successful, toured
Local dancers were hired for chorus

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4
Q

Lack of American ballet companies in 1800’s because…

A

Ballet considered insubstantial by regular theatre goers
Ballet was considered a foreign art
No permanent companies–standards of ballet varied from city to city

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5
Q

Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo

A

The foreign rival to American ballet in the 1930’s
Founded in 1932
Presented old favorites from Diaghilev and new works by Massine
Made up of some Ballet Russe dancers plus 3 baby ballerinas
Factions split off from the company because 1. Neither founder had skills of Diaghilev 2. Fights over legal rights to the ballet

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6
Q

Companies after Ballet Russe

A
  1. Original Ballet Russe
    -De Basil’s company
  2. Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
    -directed by Sergei Denham
    -Massine choreographed for it
    -did symphonic ballets
    -loved by America
    »>Both companies helped spread ballet in America
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7
Q

Lincoln Kirstein

A

The American “Diaghilev”
–novelist, poet, critic–NOT a dancer/choreographer
Wanted an American ballet company/school with American dancers/style
1933 persuaded Balanchine to direct
1934 School of American Ballet opened in Manhattan

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8
Q

Serenade

A

Piece inspired by Balanchine
Used dancers’ mistakes (a fall, late entrance)
1st season in 1935

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9
Q

On Your Toes

A

Balanchine piece, choreographed for Broadway

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10
Q

Stars & Stripes

A

Famous Balanchine piece in America

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11
Q

New York City Ballet

A

Founded in 1933 when Kirstein and Edward M Warburg persuaded Balanchine to come to America to direct
First season in 1935, under American Ballet
Repertoire was small but some inspired works by Balanchine
Struggled between being too foreign and not foreign enough

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12
Q

American Ballet Theatre

A

Founded in 1939 as Ballet Theatre–from the Mordkin Ballet
Est. to present the classics as well as new works by Mordkin in Russian style
1st director was Richard Pleasant
1980 Mikhail Baryshnikov took over as director

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13
Q

Richard Pleasant

A

The first director of American Ballet Theatre
»wanted the company to be a “museum of dance” with many ex. of periods and styles
In 1945, went active in WWII

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14
Q

Lucia Chase

A

Became co-director after Pleasant left ABT

|&raquo_space;did the financial side

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15
Q

Oliver Smith

A

Became co-director after Pleasant left ABT

|&raquo_space;did the set designs

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16
Q

Agnes de Mille

A

Important to ABT bc of her American subject matter
Choreographed: Rodeo, Fall River Legend, Oklahoma!
Known for doing dream ballets in musicals

17
Q

Rodeo

A

Agnes choreo. for Ballet Russe
Music by Aaron Copeland
Ballet about a tomboy cowgirl

18
Q

Fall River Legend

A

Agnes choreo. for ABT

Story of Lizzie Borden»killed her family with an ax

19
Q

Oklahoma!

A

Agnes choreo. for Broadway

20
Q

Jerome Robbins

A

Influenced American style
Most important Native American ballet choreographer
Combines ballet with jazz, Harlem, and Hollywood styles
Combined ethnicity to ballet
Worked with NYC ballet

21
Q

Fancy Free

A

1944, ballet about 3 sailors on shore leave during WWII picking up girls

22
Q

Dances at a Gathering

A

Work by Robbins

Music by Chopin, plotless

23
Q

The Cage

A

Work by Robbins

Story about insects

24
Q

Afternoon of a Faun

A

Work by Robbins

Was revised to portray the 2 figures as dancers

25
Q

Joffrey Ballet

A

Founded by Robert Joffrey in 1956

Trendy/topical ballets and timeless pieces

26
Q

Dance Theatre of Harlem

A

Founded by Arthur Mitchell in 1968
To demonstrate that blacks were capable of excelling in classical ballet
Done new works and timeless pieces

27
Q

Arthur Mitchell

A

Was a leading dancer for NYCB
Founded Dance Theatre of Harlem
Wanted to make aware that blacks were capable of ballet

28
Q

Maria Tallchief

A

Considered America’s first prima ballerina–also first Native American
Danced at Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo w. Balanchine
First star of NYCB
Star role in Firebird

29
Q

Jaques d’Amboise

A

Principal dancer for NYCB
Balanchine created works for him
Founded National Dance Institute in 1976

30
Q

Suzanne Farrell

A

Famous 20th century ballerina
Referred to as greatest American lyric ballerina
Was paired with d’Amboise
Lead in Balanchine’s Jewels
Principal dancer in Agon with Arthur Mitchell
Balanchine created lead roles for her, she was paired with Peter Martins a lot

31
Q

Royal Ballet

A

Found in 1956 for Britain
Founded to provide outgrowth of a real community theatre movement
First director was Ninette de Valois»well organized, firm and prim

32
Q

Ninette de Valois

A

First director of Royal Ballet

Well organized, firm, and prim

33
Q

Fredrick Ashton

A

Quinteseential English choreographer
Tender and gracious works reveal much about the English temperament
Created serene abstractions (Symphonic Variations), scintillating ones, bittersweet romantic dance dramas and fantasies
One of the century’s leading choreographers
Developed the lyricism of his dancers

34
Q

Antony Tudor

A

Choreo. for the Ballet Club

Moved to American in 1939 to be in 1st season of Ballet Theatre

35
Q

Margot Fonteyn

A

A musical dancer with exquisite line

Was England’s leading ballerina from 1930s to 1970s

36
Q

Bolshoi

A

State supported school in Moscow, Russia
Means ‘big’
Accused of being crudely flamboyant

37
Q

Kirov

A

Formerly the Maryinsky
In St. Petersburg
Too coldly academic