Ballet blanc facts for kids
A ballet blanc (say "bah-LAY BLAHN") means "white ballet" in French. It's a special style of ballet from the 1800s. In these ballets, the dancers, especially the female ones, wear long, white, bell-shaped tutus. These tutus usually reach their calves.
This style makes the dancers look light and airy, almost like spirits or fairies. It was very popular during the Romantic period of ballet.
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What is a Ballet Blanc?
A ballet blanc is a specific type of ballet that became famous in the 19th century. It is part of the romantic ballet style. The main idea was to show magical worlds and supernatural beings. Think of fairies, ghosts, or spirits dancing.
The most important part of a ballet blanc is the costume. All the female dancers wear white. This includes the main ballerina and the group of dancers called the corps de ballet. Their white tutus are often made of light, flowing fabric. This helps them look like they are floating on stage.
Why White Costumes?
The color white was chosen for a few reasons. It helped create a dreamy and magical feeling. In the dim lighting of the 1800s theaters, white costumes looked glowing. This made the dancers seem otherworldly.
The long, flowing white tutus also allowed dancers to move freely. They could perform graceful jumps and turns. This added to the illusion of weightlessness.
Famous White Ballets
Two of the most famous ballets with important "ballet blanc" sections are La Sylphide and Giselle.
La Sylphide
La Sylphide (say "Lah Seel-FEED") was first performed in 1832. It is one of the very first romantic ballets. The second act of La Sylphide is a perfect example of a ballet blanc.
In this act, the main character, James, enters a magical forest. He meets a beautiful air spirit called a Sylph. All the Sylphs in the forest wear white tutus. They dance among the trees, looking like spirits of the air.
Giselle
Giselle (say "Jee-ZEL") premiered in 1841. It is another very important romantic ballet. The second act of Giselle is also a classic ballet blanc.
In this act, Giselle becomes a Wili. Wilis are the ghosts of young women who died before their wedding day. They rise from their graves at night. All the Wilis, including Giselle, wear long, white dresses. They dance in a moonlit forest, looking like haunting spirits.
Modern Homage: Les Sylphides
While most ballet blancs are from the 1800s, some later ballets pay tribute to this style. One famous example is Les Sylphides (say "Lay Seel-FEED"). This ballet was created in the early 1900s by Mikhail Fokine.
Les Sylphides is a ballet without a story. It's just about the beauty of dance. All the dancers wear white tutus. They perform graceful movements to the music of Frédéric Chopin. It feels like a dream or a romantic vision. It truly honors the spirit of the original ballet blanc.
Images for kids
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Scene from Les Sylphides
See also
In Spanish: Ballet blanco para niños
