Marius Petipa

    I introduce Marius Petipa.  He was a choreographer.  Choreographer is a person who arrange how dancers should move during a performance. 

    He was born in France, but he emigrated to Russia.  Then he choreographed "The Pharaoh's Daughter".  This work was his first ballet as a choreographer.  He chroeographes about fifty works which became famous and many dancers dance even now.  The works are, for exampe, "Swan Lake", "The Nutcracker", and "Sleeping Beauty".  Through these works, he completed classical ballet style.  One of classical ballet styles he completed is "pas de deux".  In addition, he inserted folk dance that does not related story before pas de deux that is climax.  That is why he is called "The Father of Ballet".

La Bayadere

      I introduce about "La Bayadere".  First, I explain about this story.

In acient India, temple dancer, Nikiya and soilder, Solor fall in love each other but Rajah orders Solor to marry Gamzatti who is Rajah's daughter.  That is why  Solor agree to marry Gamzatti.  When Rajah knows about relationship of Nikiya and Solor, Rajah attempts to kill Nikiya.  Gamzatti asks Nikiya to give up Solor but Nikiya refuses.  Then Nikiya attempts to kill Gamzatti.  At the marriage of Solor and Gamzatti, Nikiya is command to dance.  Gamzatti presents Nikiya with a basket of flowers which Nikiya believe to be from Solor.  However the basket conseals a deadly snake, so Nikiya is bitten and...

        I recommend to watch act3 especially because it is very beatiful.  If you watch act3 and want to know the whole story, I would like you to watch this ballet!

      

Tutu

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I explain about tutu.  This is costume female ballet dancer usually wear.  At first female dancer’s costume was only romantic tutu that has long skirt.  However, if costume was all romantic tutu, it would be difficult for dancers to dance. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is because classical tutu was made.  Dancers can show big movement by classical tutu.  Now, both are used depending on the choreography.  In addition, tutu has many kinds of color and design.  Depending on the design, if two tutu are same color, they seem to be different tutu.  Not only choreography but also costume is important for ballet.  I would like you to look at costume when you watch ballet.