ITALIAN BALLET – THEOFEARLIESTBALLET
Rulin Huang
By Rulin Huang
Italian Renaissance Ballet emerged during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Noblemen and women were taught ballet skills to perform for entertainment at formal events such as weddings and royal parties. Some of its primary features are graceful gestures, high jumps, long leg movements, and spins. Thus, the Italian ballet discussed in this article is not a type of dance but is considered more as a section in history the origin of this genre of ballet.
Ballet is a form of performative art that combines musical elements, costuming, stage scenery, as well as dance. Since the 15th century, the uses of eloquent techniques of dance have appeared in the courts of the Italy Renaissance. Italian Renaissance Ballet emerged during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Noblemen and women were taught ballet skills to perform for entertainment at formal events such as weddings and royal parties. Some of its primary features are graceful gestures, high jumps, long leg movements, and spins. Thus, the Italian ballet discussed in this article is not a type of dance but is considered more as a section in history the origin of this genre of ballet. Terms like “ballet” and “ball” have overlapping definitions in many cultures. In Italy, the word "ballare”, means "to dance”. This is considered one of the earlier origins of “ballet”. During the Renaissance period, pointe shoes were not invented. Dancers used fancy heeled ball shoes and heavy costumes to show their majestic power and eloquent spirits. Painting of Social Court Dances during the Renaissance Period in Europe
History of Italian Ballet
One of the first ballet dancers is Domenico da Piacenza (1400 1476), from the Italian Renaissance period. He is most famous for teaching the dance masters Antonio Cornazzano and Guglielmo Ebreo da Pesaro, who later became successful influencers of Italian art. Domenico da Piacenza specialized in teaching elements of dramatic mime and elaborate dance. However, little
The Italian style of ballet is used in the royal households, every gesture is under control and rules. Though the styles are outdated, many movements that originated from Italy are still found in modern ballet. It was until the 16th hundreds, when Catherine de' Medici, an Italian
A painting recording a harpist alongside dancing master Domenico
Unique Differentiations and Diffusion
is known of his personal life. Piacenza published De arte saltandi et choreas ducendi in around 1450 1460. He was one of the first to note down choreography and dance instructions, outlining the steps to being a professional dancer. Piacenza stated that dancing (ballet) consisted of an understanding of musical tempos, movements, manners, agility, the ability to moderate one's movements, control of the body, and speed. His teachings were eventually popular and spread throughout Europe as part of the culture of ballet.
noblewoman, married King Henry II in 1547 and brought ballet to France and all across Europe.
From there, the ballet was popularized and lavished throughout France and Russia, diffusing this art across the world.
Portrait of Catherine de' Medici (1519 1589), she was the Queen of France from 1547 to 1559.
What happened to Italian ballet during the Romantic and Modern era?
When the term “Ballet” is mentioned, many dancers and audiences refer to the luxuriant art developed in Russia and France. During the Romantic and Modern eras, the focus did shift from simple participation to theatrical precisions. However, Italy had also developed its entry point and principles called the Cecchetti Ballet. This method was named after Enrico Cecchetti, who emphasized the balance, poise, strength, elevation, flexibility, and artistry in ballerinas. It is currently known as one of the most effective ways to teach professional ballet.
Enrico Cecchetti teaching Anna Pavlova circa 1920 Italian Ballet Today Italian ballet is more of a period that invented and diffused the concept, its modern aspect is not as splendid as it is centuries ago. However, Italy has produced many amazing dancers. Below is a video collection of the famous Italian ballet dancer Carla Fracci. She is known as one of the greatest Italian ballerinas of the 20th https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnyVpT2Om10century.
(will embed vid) We must acknowledge the eloquence and temperament brought by Italian ballet. With ballet experience myself, I believe it is this form of performing art that makes one confident and exquisite.
“Late Renaissance Dance.” Stanford.edu, socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/late_renaissance.htm.2022, Accessed 31 May 2022.
“Cecchetti Ballet Method: What Is the Cecchetti Ballet Method?” MasterClass, MasterClass, 2020, www.masterclass.com/articles/cecchetti ballet#quiz 0. Accessed 31 May 2022.
“The Origins of Ballet - Jennifer Tortorello and Adrienne Westwood.” TED Ed, TED-Ed, 2016, ed.ted.com/lessons/the origins of ballet jennifer tortorello and adrienne westwood. Accessed 31 May 2022. Wikipedia Contributors. “Enrico Cecchetti.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Apr. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrico_Cecchetti. Accessed 31 May 2022. “Ballet | History, Dancers, Choreographers, Companies, & Facts | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2022, www.britannica.com/art/ballet. Accessed 31 May 2022. “Domenico Da Piacenza.” Oxford Reference, www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095725664.2022, Accessed 7 July 2022. “History of Ballet Origin and Evolution.” Dancefacts.net, 2022, www.dancefacts.net/dance history/history of ballet/. Accessed 7 July 2022.
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