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Narrative ballet
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{{Short description|Type of dance}} [[File:Swanlake015.jpg|thumb|Scene from the ballet ''Swan Lake'']] A '''narrative ballet''', also known as '''classical ballet''' or '''story ballet''' is a form of [[ballet]] that has a [[Plot (narrative)|plot]] and [[Character (arts)|character]]s. It is typically a production with full sets and costumes. It was an invention of the eighteenth century.<ref name="press"/> Most [[Romantic ballet|romantic]] and [[Classical ballet|classical]] ballets of the 19th century were narrative ballets. Among the most well known are ''[[Swan Lake]]'', ''[[The Sleeping Beauty (ballet)|The Sleeping Beauty]]'', and ''[[Cinderella]]''.<ref name=Kourlas/><ref name=guard/> For these and other classic narrative ballets it is common for ballet directors to create their own [[choreography]], while maintaining the plot and music used by the original 19th-century choreographer. [[Kenneth MacMillan]] and [[Frederick Ashton]] were [[neoclassical ballet]] choreographers that created original narrative ballets in the 20th century.<ref name=Kourlas/> Plots frequently revolve around intense love, expression, fantasy, and tragedy. The most popular classic ballets are based on fairytales and magical myths. For example, in ''[[Swan Lake]]'', the main character Odette is put under a spell by an evil sorcerer that makes her a swan until she turns human at midnight. The spell can only be broken by true love from a man who has not promised his heart to another. She meets a prince and they both fall in love. In the end, the prince was tricked by the evil sorcerer to propose to his daughter. Destined to be a swan forever, Odette plunges herself into the lake from despair. The prince followers her until the river and they are united for eternity in death.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Swan Lake Story {{!}} Miami City Ballet | url=https://www.miamicityballet.org/swanlakestory | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630225904/https://www.miamicityballet.org/swanlakestory | access-date=2025-05-10 | archive-date=2022-06-30}}</ref> [[File:SwKCB0514 1135.jpg|thumb|Scene from [[Cinderella]], Pas de Deux]] When performing a story ballet, it not only essential that dancers have good technique but that they have the ability to act.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.balletdancersguide.com/ballet-stories.html|title=Ballet Stories - The Greatest Ballets|website=www.balletdancersguide.com}}</ref> This is because in ballet there are no spoken words. It is the responsibility of the dancer to be able to use their movements and facial expressions to the communicate with the audience, or else the plot isn't properly conveyed. The ability to tell a story and how emotion without words is known as "classical mime", which plays an important role in ballet. Narrative ballets are essential to a [[ballet company]]'s repertoire, because they tend to generate the highest sales and bring families with children to see the ballet. People enjoy watching an art form where they are transformed into a different world. It's entertaining and exciting. Many newer narrative ballets are adapted from familiar stories or literature because they are recognizable to audiences.<ref name="royal"/> ==Notable narrative ballets== Narrative ballets are essential to a ballet company's repertoire, because they tend to generate the highest sales and bring families with children to see the ballet. People enjoy watching an art form where they are transformed into a different world. It's entertaining and exciting. Many newer narrative ballets are adapted from familiar stories or literature because they are recognizable to audiences. As mentioned above ''[[Swan Lake]]'' is one of the most famous examples of narrative ballet, other famous narrative ballets include: ''[[Giselle]], [[The Nutcracker]], [[Romeo and Juliet (Prokofiev)|Romeo and Juliet]], and [[L'histoire de Manon]].'' The story of ''Giselle'' is a romantic tale of innocent love and betrayal; of philandering Count Albrecht and a trusting peasant maid, Giselle. Although she has a weak heart, Giselle loves to dance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chien |first=Jane Ann |date=2022-06-10 |title=The Story of Giselle |url=https://www.sfballet.org/discover/backstage/the-story-of-giselle/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=San Francisco Ballet |language=en-US}}</ref> ''The Nutcracker'' is the story of how a young girl named Clara falls in love with a Nutcracker that magically comes to life and defeats an army of evil rats to save her life. Clara and the nutcracker then travel to the land of the sweets where Clara is introduced to the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, and beautiful Arabian Princesses, Russian Cossacks, French ballet dancers and even exotic flowers, who all dance in her honor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Nutcracker Story {{!}} Northern Ballet |url=https://northernballet.com/the-nutcracker/the-nutcracker-story |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=northernballet.com}}</ref> The ballet Romeo and Juliet follows the same story as the famous Shakespearean play it is based on, the only difference between the two being the medium used is dance rather than acting. Lastly, the ballet ''L'histoire de Manon'' follows the love story of Manon and Grieux and their search for love and fortune. ==Other forms of ballet== While narrative ballet is easily the most well-known and appreciated form of ballet, there are many others that are important as well. There are considered to be four main styles of ballet: Classical, Neoclassical, Contemporary, and Romantic. '''Neoclassical ballet''' evolved from classical ballet, distinguishing itself for typically being abstract. The music of choice tends to be neoclassical as well, from musicians such as [[Albert Roussel|Roussel]] and [[Igor Stravinsky|Stravinsky]].<ref name="Blackpool Grand Theatre-2018">{{Cite web |date=2018-12-12 |title=Different Types of Ballet {{!}} Styles & Ballet Terminology - The Grand |url=https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/different-types-ballet |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Blackpool Grand Theatre |language=en-GB}}</ref> '''Contemporary ballet''' takes inspiration from classical ballet elements and adding modern techniques of [[jazz]] and other dance forms, and focuses more on athleticism and bigger and swifter tempos.<ref name="Blackpool Grand Theatre-2018" /> Finally the last style of ballet is '''Romantic''', which is very similar to Classical ballet in the fact that drama, emotion, and a strong storytelling<ref name="Blackpool Grand Theatre-2018" /> are key components of the style. The main difference between the two styles lies within the costuming. The longer bell-shaped skirts of Romantic ballets are a far cry from the short, stiff, platter-style tutus worn in Classical pieces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Four Major Styles of Ballet |url=https://www.bostonballet.org/stories/the-four-major-styles-of-ballet/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Boston Ballet |language=en}}</ref> ==Creating narrative ballets in the 21st century== [[Christopher Wheeldon]], composer of [[The Winter's Tale (ballet)|''The Winter's Tale'']], states that in today's age, "Design and the use of technology are important tools in storytelling... such as the well integrated use of projection in his ballet 'Alice' and 'Winter's tale'".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pointemagazine.com/contemporary-story-ballets/|title=Story Ballets for the 21st Century: What Are the Secret Ingredients of Today's Successful Narrative Works?|first=Hanna|last=Rubin|date=March 31, 2016|website=Pointe Magazine}}</ref> While we love the classics such as ''[[Swan Lake]]'', ''[[The Sleeping Beauty (ballet)|The Sleeping Beauty]]'', and ''[[Cinderella]]'', modern ballets should reflect the modern days changing technology. While classic ballets are interesting to the audience because of its unique plot and characters, it's a good idea to make minor tweak to the original work to hold the audiences' attention. This could mean adding a new character or making changes to a character's costume. However, any changes need to still reflect the original storyline. For example, costumes need to be appealing and reflect a character's personality. The lighting and staging needs to complement the storyline to keep it engaging. ==Notable narrative ballets== * ''[[Swan Lake]]'' * ''[[Giselle]]'' * ''[[The Nutcracker]]'' * ''[[Romeo and Juliet (Prokofiev)|Romeo and Juliet]]'' * ''[[L'histoire de Manon]]'' * ''[[Cinderella (Prokofiev)|Cinderella]]'' * ''[[The Sleeping Beauty (ballet)|Sleeping Beauty]]'' ==See also== * [[Ballet d'action]] * [[Comic ballet]] * [[List of ballets by title]] * [[List of historical ballet characters]] ==References== {{reflist|refs= <ref name=guard>{{cite news |last1=Mackrell |first1=Judith |title=When ballet loses the plot with narratives |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/may/31/ballet-narrative-plot-dance |newspaper=The Guardian |date=May 31, 2013}}</ref> <ref name=Kourlas>{{cite news|last=Kourlas|first= Gia|title = Tharp's New Tale, Woven In Dance|newspaper = The New York Times|date =February 3, 2012|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/arts/dance/twyla-tharp-creates-the-princess-and-the-goblin-ballet.html?scp=18&sq=ballet&st=cse|access-date=March 14, 2012}}</ref> <ref name="press">{{cite book |last1=Weickmann |first1=Dorion |title=The Cambridge Companion to Ballet |chapter=Choreography and narrative: the ballet d'action of the eighteenth century |chapter-url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-companion-to-ballet/choreography-and-narrative-the-ballet-daction-of-the-eighteenth-century/173B410AFB38ECF243CC961A46938B9D |publisher=Cambridge University Press |date=2007|pages=51β64 |doi=10.1017/CCOL9780521832212.007 |isbn=978-0-521-83221-2 }}</ref> <ref name="royal">{{cite web |last1=Beaumont |first1=Rachel |title=Stories without words: Narrative ballets and their many inspirations |url=https://www.roh.org.uk/news/stories-without-words-narrative-ballets-and-their-many-inspirations |publisher=Royal Opera House |date=November 20, 2014}}</ref> }} ===Sources=== *{{cite magazine |last1=Fuhrer |first1=Margaret |title=Story Ballets Make a Comeback |url=https://www.pointemagazine.com/issuesdecember-2011january-2012story-ballets-make-comeback-2412810980.html |magazine=Pointe Magazine |date=November 16, 2011}} {{Ballet}} [[Category:Ballet terminology]]
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