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38-609: English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin as London Festival Ballet and based in London, England. Along with The Royal Ballet , Birmingham Royal Ballet , Northern Ballet and Scottish Ballet , it is one of the five major ballet companies in Great Britain. English National Ballet is one of the foremost touring companies in Europe, performing in theatres throughout

76-436: A unitard — a one-piece garment that combines tights and a leotard — to enhance the visibility of artistic lines. All dancers wear soft ballet shoes (sometimes called flats ). Typically, female dancers wear pink or beige shoes and men wear black or white shoes. Leg warmers are sometimes worn during the early part of a class to protect leg muscles until they become warm. Females are usually required to restrain their hair in

114-402: A bun or some other hair style that exposes the neck that is not a ponytail. The customary attire and hair style are intended to promote freedom of movement and to reveal body form so that the teacher can evaluate dancers' alignment and technique. After warming up, advanced female students may wear pointe shoes whereas advanced male students continue to wear soft shoes. Pointe shoes are worn after

152-435: A dance teacher and a dance musician is vital to the success of a ballet class. Female attire typically includes pink or flesh colored tights , a leotard , and sometimes a short wrap- skirt , or a skirted leotard . Males typically wear black or dark tights, a form-fitting white, or black, shirt or leotard worn under the tights, and a dance belt beneath the outer dancewear to provide support. In some cases, students may wear

190-746: A focus on fast, intricate footwork. Many of the stylistic variations are associated with specific training methods that have been named after their originators. Despite these variations, the performance and vocabulary of classical ballet are largely consistent throughout the world. Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts and was brought to France by Catherine de' Medici in the 16th century. During ballet's infancy, court ballets were performed by aristocratic amateurs rather than professional dancers. Most of ballet's early movements evolved from social court dances and prominently featured stage patterns rather than formal ballet technique. In

228-427: A musical improvisation to support the dancers in the exercise. The dancers are affected by the musician's choices, and they integrate both the ballet teacher's steps and the ballet musician's music into their performance. Ultimately, the ballet teacher has little control over the musical portion of their lesson unless they ask the musician to play a specific piece of music. For this reason, the working relationship between

266-744: A one-act ballet about World War I. His ballet, titled Dust , premiered in 2014 and receive. It was brought to Glastonbury Festival later that year, making it English National Ballet's debut at Glastonbury. In 2016, English National Ballet presented She Said , an all-female choreographer mixed bill, which includes Annabelle Lopez Ochoa 's Broken Wings , which was based on Frida Kahlo 's life. Classical ballet There are stylistic variations related to an area or origin, which are denoted by classifications such as Russian ballet , French ballet , British ballet and Italian ballet . For example, Russian ballet features high extensions and dynamic turns, whereas Italian ballet tends to be more grounded, with

304-456: A unique training system. Some classical ballet training systems employ standardized layouts to define reference locations at the corners, and edges of stages, and dance studio rooms. In the latter case, there is no audience and a mirror typically spans the downstage wall of the room (e.g., points 1-2 of the Cecchetti layout). Derek Deane Derek Deane OBE (born 18 June 1953)

342-528: Is a British dancer and choreographer. Derek Deane was raised in Redruth , Cornwall and trained in the Royal Ballet School . As a dancer, he eventually became a Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet , later retiring from the stage and working as Deputy Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma and Artistic Director of English National Ballet (1993–2001). He

380-476: Is considered to be one of the greatest choreographers of all time) took Romantic ballet and combined it with different aspects of Russian ballet technique (as Petipa was once a choreographer and ballet master at Mariinsky Ballet ). Elements pulled from these things include the storytelling found in Romantic ballet, and the athleticism of Russian technique. Therefore, a new era of ballet, which later became known as

418-601: Is placed on developing flexibility and strengthening the legs, feet, and body core (the center , or abdominals) as a strong core is essential for turns and many other ballet movements. Dancers also learn to use their spot which teaches them to focus on something while turning so as not to become dizzy and lose their balance. Early ballet training for all dancers involves basic technique and develops strength and flexibility. As they progress, female dancers begin to learn pointe technique and both male and female dancers begin to learn partnering and more advanced jumps and turns. As

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456-654: The Jeffrey Epstein scandal. In January 2022, Rojo announced that she will leave the company at the end of the year to lead the San Francisco Ballet . Aaron S. Watkin , who performed with the company three decades prior, took over as artistic director in August 2023, after his appointment was announced in August 2022. In June 2024, the company announced Queen Camilla as its new royal patron. Artistic directors: The company's dancers are listed on

494-715: The Vaganova method (created by Agrippina Vaganova ) and the Legat Method (by Nikolai Legat ). The Cecchetti method is named after Italian dancer Enrico Cecchetti . Another training system was developed by and named after August Bournonville ; this is taught primarily in Denmark. The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) method was not created by an individual, but by a group of notable ballet professionals. Despite their associations with geographically named ballet styles, many of these training methods are used worldwide. For example,

532-582: The 17th century, as ballet's popularity in France increased, ballet began to gradually transform into a professional art. It was no longer performed by amateurs, but instead ballet performances started to incorporate challenging acrobatic movements that could only be performed by highly skilled street entertainers. In response, the world's first ballet school, the Académie Royale de Danse , was established by King Louis XIV in 1661. The Academie's purpose

570-528: The Polish impresario Julian Braunsweg. The name was inspired by the then imminent Festival of Britain, however the company would later be renamed to today's English National Ballet . Dolin was the company's first artistic director and established the company as a touring group both nationally in the UK and Internationally, touring abroad for the first time in 1951. Dolin also introduced a number of educational programs in

608-564: The RAD teaching method is used in more than 70 countries. American-style ballet ( Balanchine ) is not taught by means of a standardized, widespread training system. Similarly, French ballet has no standard training system; each of the major French-style ballet schools, such as the Paris Opera Ballet School , Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse , and Académie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace (Monaco) employs

646-419: The UK as well as conducting international tours and performing at special events. The Company employs approximately 67 dancers and a symphony orchestra, (English National Ballet Philharmonic). In 1984 Peter Schaufuss became director and changed the name to English National Ballet and founded the school English National Ballet School , which is independent from the ballet company but joining the company premises in

684-462: The air. Pointe technique is the part of ballet technique that concerns pointe work , in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet on specially designed and handcrafted pointe shoes . In professional companies, the shoes are made to fit the dancers' feet perfectly. Students typically learn ballet terminology and the pronunciation, meaning, and precise body form and movement associated with each term. Emphasis

722-459: The budget with safer programming. Former Royal Ballet dancer Beryl Grey directed the company (now named London Festival Ballet ) from 1968 to 1979, raising technical standards, touring widely and inviting prominent guest stars and choreographers including Leonide Massine and Rudolf Nureyev , who picked ballerina Eva Evdokimova to be his first Princess Aurora in his production of The Sleeping Beauty in 1975. In 1979 John Field became director of

760-445: The classical era, began. Even though he was responsible for bringing in the classical ballet era, Petipa was also responsible for choreographing well-known romantic ballets such as Giselle . During the classical era, Marius Petipa was largely responsible for creating choreographic structures that are still used in ballets today. For one, Petipa was the first to use the grand pas de deux in his choreography. Additionally, he cemented

798-578: The company before Wayne Eagling , former head of Dutch National Ballet who took over in 2006. In April 2012, following the February sudden announcement of resignation by Eagling, principal dancer for The Royal Ballet Tamara Rojo was announced to become his successor at the end of the 2012 season, in August of that year. In November 2019, Prince Andrew , who had served as Patron of the English National Ballet since 2001, resigned amid

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836-483: The company for the first time such as Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Christopher Bruce, Michael Clarke, John Neumeier, George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Roland Petit, Maurice Bejart, and John Cranko. This period is considered by many the golden age where the company reached a new and higher level. In 1990 Ivan Nagy became director (until 1993), Derek Deane (until 2001) and Matz Skoog (until 2006) and directed

874-489: The company until 1984. In 1984 Peter Schaufuss who had won both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards as a dancer and for his production of La Sylphide with the company, became its director and revitalised the company. During his directorship he succeeded in changing the name to English National Ballet, founding the school, inviting Diana, Princess of Wales as patron and presenting many important choreographers ballets with

912-443: The dancers to make subtle physical shifts of expression that a live dance accompanist will watch and match as they play. The live musician in a ballet class plays a crucial role in the creative process. As the ballet teacher sets an exercise - moving, counting, vocalising - the musician observes and imagines the music that will best support the exercise. The musician then plays either an existing piece of musical repertoire or creates

950-475: The early years, designed to make ballet accessible to new audiences. Dolin remained as artistic director until 1962, succeeded by John Gilpin , who was also principal dancer with the company from 1950 to 1960 and 1962 to 1971. The Company grew in size and status, undertaking extensive national and international tours, presenting a new generation of dancers—all while repeatedly facing bankruptcy. Braunsweg left in 1965 and Donald Albery took over until 1968, stabilising

988-792: The era's most respected choreographers, including Kenneth MacMillan , Frederick Ashton , George Balanchine , Hans van Manen , John Neumeier , Glen Tetley , Rudolf Nureyev , Peter Wright , and David Bintley . After retiring from the stage, he went on to become the resident choreographer and Assistant to the Director of Teatro Del Opera Di Roma in 1990, before rising to Artistic Director of English National Ballet in 1993. Ballets Deane has created for English National Ballet include, Giselle , Alice in Wonderland , Swan Lake , The Sleeping Beauty , Paquita , Strictly Gershwin and Romeo and Juliet . Many of these works Deane has re-created for

1026-416: The five positions (first, second, third, fourth and fifth) of ballet, which to this day remain the foundation of all formal classical ballet technique. Before classical ballet developed, ballet was in a period referred to as the Romantic era. Romantic ballet was known for its storytelling, and often held a softer aesthetic. Classical ballet came to be when a ballet master by the name of Marius Petipa (who

1064-409: The men get stronger, lifts are added to the partnering. Depending on the teacher and training system, students may progress through various stages or levels of training as their skills advance. The traditional ballet masters of the eighteenth century played the violin for their own ballet classes. They also provided their ballet students with instruction in the relationship between the dance steps and

1102-418: The music. By the end of the nineteenth century this had fallen out of fashion, and specialisation in the performing arts meant that the role of the ballet teacher and the ballet musician had become separate professions. By the twentieth century, the violin had given way to the piano as the standard accompaniment for ballet class. When recorded music is substituted for a live musician, there is no opportunity for

1140-705: The name Festival Ballet, then London Festival Ballet, and in June 1989, English National Ballet. Markova and Dolin were leading stars of the Ballets Russes , one of the most influential ballet companies of the 20th century. After the death of its director Serge Diaghilev in 1929, the company was disbanded and in 1931, one of its dancers, Ninette de Valois , founded the Vic-Wells Ballet Company in London, with Markova and Dolin as Principal dancers, Markova becoming Prima Ballerina in 1933. Following

1178-599: The new building. The Company regularly performs seasons at the London Coliseum and has been noted for specially staged performances at the Royal Albert Hall . In 2014 English National Ballet became an Associate Company of Sadler's Wells . English National Ballet was founded in 1950 as Gala Performances of Ballet by the British dance couple, Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin . The Company later adopted

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1216-682: The official website with photographs and linked biographies. Rudolf Nureyev's production of Romeo & Juliet was especially created for the English National Ballet (then the London Festival Ballet) in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. ENB gave the world premieres of Christopher Bruce's Land, The World Again, Swansong and Symphony in Three Movements. English National Ballet commissioned Akram Khan , who had never worked with any ballet companies before, to create

1254-569: The student is deemed strong enough in the ankles and can execute the routine to a high standard, usually around or after the age of 12, or after the dancers' feet have stopped developing, so as to protect the dancers' feet from injury common with premature wearing. There are several standardized, widespread, classical ballet training systems , each designed to produce a unique aesthetic quality from its students. Some systems are named after their creators; these are typically called methods or schools . For example, two prevailing systems from Russia are

1292-558: The success of their performances as the Markova-Dolin Company, Markova and Dolin decided to start their own company with the sole objective of touring both nationally and internationally, bringing ballet to audiences who had not previously had the opportunity to experience the art form. Markova and Dolin left the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1935. London Festival Ballet was founded in 1950 with the financial backing of

1330-403: The usage of the corps de ballet as a standard part of a ballet. Despite his ushering in of the classical era, these elements can be seen in his romantic ballets as well. Ballet technique is the foundational principles of body movement and form used in ballet. A distinctive feature of ballet technique is turnout ; which is the outward rotation of the legs and feet emanating from the hip. This

1368-1005: Was awarded the OBE ( Officer of the Order of the British Empire ) in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours for his services to dance as artistic director of the English National Ballet. After his training at The Royal Ballet School, Derek Deane went on to join The Royal Ballet in 1972. Deane was promoted to Soloist in 1977, Principal Dancer in 1980 and then to Senior Principal Dancer in 1982. There, Deane danced some of ballet's most memorable roles, including Prince in Swan Lake ; Romeo , Benvolio , and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet ; and Prince Rudolf in Mayerling . Deane worked with some of

1406-421: Was first introduced into ballet by King Louis XIV because he loved to show off the shiny buckles on his shoes when he performed his own dances. There are five fundamental positions of the feet in ballet , all performed with turnout and named numerically as first through fifth positions. When performing jumps and leaps, classical ballet dancers strive to exhibit ballon , the appearance of briefly floating in

1444-588: Was to improve the quality of dance training in France and to invent a technique or curriculum that could be used to transform ballet into a formal discipline. Shortly after the Academie was formed, in 1672, King Louis XIV established a performing company called the Academie Royal de Musique de Dance (today known as Paris Opera), and named Pierre Beauchamp the head dancing-master. While at the Academie Royal, Beauchamp revolutionized ballet technique by inventing

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