ballets

Ballet is a form of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts and developed into a codified art in France and Russia. It emphasizes precision, formal vocabulary, and storytelling through movement. Classical ballet is known for turnout, pointe work, and a wide range of stylistic genres from traditional repertory to contemporary works.

Ballet began as a court spectacle in Italy and France before becoming a professional art form. Louis XIV supported the discipline and founded the Académie Royale de Danse in 1661. In the 19th century, Romantic ballet expanded expressiveness; the Russian schools, notably the Imperial Ballet, refined technique. The 20th century brought neoclassical and modern directions through Diaghilev, Balanchine, and others.

Core technique includes five positions of the feet, turnout from the hips, and alignment of head, torso, and limbs. Pointe work is common for women; men focus on jumps and turns. Several training systems—Vaganova, Cecchetti, and Bournonville—prescribe sequences of steps, combinations, and artistry for long-term development.

Repertoire ranges from full-length classics such as Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Nutcracker to neoclassical works and contemporary pieces. Productions typically feature a corps de ballet, soloists, and principal dancers, with staging, costumes, and music shaping the narrative and mood.

Today, major companies include the Paris Opera Ballet, the Bolshoi, and the Mariinsky. Ballet schools and companies operate worldwide, preserving technique while exploring new choreographic voices through commissions, collaborations, and festivals.