Romantic ballet facts for kids

The Romantic ballet is a special kind of ballet that became popular in the early 1800s. It was a new style, different from the older, more formal ballets of the 1700s. People who loved ballet back then were tired of stories about ancient gods and goddesses. They wanted to see ballets about everyday people and real places.

This new style brought exciting changes. Dancers started using pointe work, where they dance on the tips of their toes, to show feelings and tell stories. Long, white skirts made of a light fabric called tulle were also introduced. These skirts, along with pointe shoes, made dancers look like they were floating. New gas lighting allowed for cool dimming effects, and wires even let ballerinas "fly" across the stage!

What is Romantic Ballet?

Romantic ballet is a style of dance that started in the early 1800s. It was a way for artists to show their feelings and imagination. This style moved away from the strict rules of older ballets. It focused more on emotions, nature, and sometimes even magical worlds.

How Romantic Ballet Began

The Romantic era in ballet started with a show called The Ballet of the Nuns in 1831. Soon after, La Sylphide came out in 1832. These ballets helped define the new style. Over time, the popularity of romantic ballets slowly changed.

Even though Coppélia in 1870 is often seen as the end of this era, some famous ballets came later. For example, Tchaikovsky wrote many romantic ballets. His Swan Lake from 1876 is a great example. Even his beloved The Nutcracker from 1892 is considered a romantic ballet. Later, Michel Fokine created Les Sylphides in 1906. This ballet was a special tribute to the romantic style.

Key Features of Romantic Ballets

Romantic ballets share a few important things that make them unique:

• They tell stories about real people, not just ancient gods or myths.
• They often use local or national styles in their costumes, settings, and dances. You might see dances like mazurkas and waltzes.
• A magical, dreamlike, or spiritual element is usually a big part of the story. This could be fairies, ghosts, or other supernatural beings.
• The dance technique itself is very important. Dancers, especially ballerinas, show off their skills. Pointe work is a key part of this.

Images for kids

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  The Three Graces: embodiment of the Romantic ballet, ca. 1840. This picture shows three of the greatest ballerinas in famous roles: Marie Taglioni as the Sylph in La Sylphide; Fanny Elssler as Florinda in La Cachucha; and Carlotta Grisi as Béatrix in La Jolie Fille du Gand.

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  This picture shows Carlotta Grisi (left), Marie Taglioni (center), Lucille Grahn (right back), and Fanny Cerrito (right front) dancing in Pas de Quatre, London, 1845. This performance is seen as a high point for Romantic ballet.

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  A romantic tutu, a classic costume from this ballet style.

See also

In Spanish: Ballet romántico para niños