Front Row and Behind-the-Scenes News from the World of Ballet
Welcome to Classical Ballet News! Together with visitors like you, we're building the biggest and best collection of classical ballet news on the internet. We offer the latest on your favorite: classical ballet dancers ballet choreographers international ballet competitions and up-to-date ballet performances worldwide from the top classical ballet companies. You'll also find tips on: proper classical ballet technique expert ballet stage makeup and more... From … [Read more...]
Yesterday I shared Tamara Rojo's pledge to improve body image in ballerinas at the English National Ballet by promoting healthy eating habits and lifestyle. Here's yet another video on the fight to stop eating disorders in ballet. Charlotte Leeming reports for BBC News on the subject of eating disorders in ballet. Eating disorders have been a continuous subject in the world of ballet for many years. But how easy will it be to change the mindset of some dancers? Please read and view … [Read more...]
Principal ballerina, Tamara Rojo, now head of the English National Ballet has definite ideas about what she wants the dance troupe to adopt under her direction as far as body weight and image, and for good reason. After years of observing fellow ballerinas adopt unhealthy eating habits, Tamara Rojo wants to stamp out anorexia in ballet. Rojo was born in Montreal, Canada, to Spanish parents who moved back to Spain when she was four months old. She started dancing at the age of 10 in … [Read more...]
To all ballerina Mommies and non-ballerina Moms as well: Happy Mother's Day from Classical Ballet News! Here's a beautiful video of the ultimate "Pas de Deux"; pregnant ballerina (no name given) dances for the camera. She dances with her unborn baby, beautifully and skillfully, I might add. It is really difficult to relevé (rise on the ball of your feet) and balance when you're pregnant. ;-) She begins with a warm-up at the barre, then moves to the center. I hope you will enjoy … [Read more...]
Here's another great video in our series of how to's from the ballet glossary of the Royal Opera House in London. These videos show basic steps on which classical ballet technique is built on. It's a great way to learn ballet terminology and view technique from accomplished ballerinas and dancers. In this video: How to releve in ballet, Romany Pajdak, Royal Ballet First Artist, demonstrates a relevé en pointe. How to Releve in Ballet Wikipedia defines the term relevé [pronounced … [Read more...]
Beloved children's author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak has died. He is mostly remembered for his book: Where The Wild Things Are, which was later made into a movie. In the world of ballet he was known for being the creative force behind the scenery and costumes of PNB's The Nutcracker. Today the Pacific Northwest Ballet mourns the loss of Maurice Sendak. The man who brought children delight with his book “Where the Wild Things Are” and one of the designing forces behind Pacific … [Read more...]
Everyone loves a story of rags to riches, hardship to success and Mao's Last Dancer is a movie like that. It premiered in the U.S. back in August 2010, and for some reason it's just being released here in Mexico. I would like to revisit Li Cunxin's incredible story of triumph. The movie is based on Cunxin's true life story which he wrote in his book by the same name. Mao's Last Dancer A drama based on the autobiography by Li Cunxin. At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese … [Read more...]
It's time to relax and be inspired by one of 20th's century's greatest male ballet dancers: Mikhail Baryshnikov and a few of his best quotes. But before we jump, or should I say, grand jeté to some very insightful Mikhail Baryshnikov quotes, lets take a quick look into this ballet star's bio: "Misha" is a Russian American dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers in history. Born to Russian parents … [Read more...]
From a joyous town celebration turned bad to midnight apparitions who dance men to death, all in a single evening. What else could you ask for? The story of this ballet is the ultimate test of true love; one of my personal favorites; Giselle: A story of love, deception and forgiveness. Houston Ballet will be performing Giselle at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on May 4 at 7:30 pm. So if you're in the Houston area don't miss this ballet with one of the top ballet … [Read more...]
One of the most fascinating "feats" of ballet dancers is their ability to turn, in other words, to execute pirouttes. To be able to turn with such speed and without getting dizzy requires mastering the art of spotting. Here are two amazing videos: the first shows step-by-step how to spot in ballet and the second is the result of years of training to spot and ballet technique; the result: 32 fouettesfrom the Black Swan variation from Swan Lake! If you're a ballet student, teach ballet … [Read more...]
Wouldn't it be neat to be able to "feel" what it's like to dance a pas de deux? Unless you're a professional ballet dancer, you may not get to experience that. Well, now you can, through this amazing video! What is the Dancers' Perspective? Principal Dancers Megan Fairchild and Andrew Veyette give us a view of the wedding pas de deux from "The Sleeping Beauty" from the dancers' perspective. Through cameras placed in strategic places on each dancer we're able to "feel" what the … [Read more...]
