Modern and Russian Classical Ballet
INTRODUCTION Modern ballet and Russian Classical ballet are two of the many styles that are recognised today. Many performances have been displayed by using these different genres of ballet, but one piece which is very well known for both is ‘Swan Lake’. Swan Lake is the famous ballet piece whose story is known world wide. ... ” This remarkable story has been re done by Marius Petipa a ballet master of Russian Classical and a Modern ballet piece by Matthew Bourne’s. In this report we are going to discuss the differences in the Russian Classical and Modern ballet pieces of ‘Swan Lake’. MOVEMENT, VOCABULARY AND DANCE Russian Classical ballet and Modern ballet both have different elements that divide them into different genres. Russian Classical Ballet emphasis’s on spectacle and focuses on technical skill rather then stories of expression through movement. ... The movement style of Russian Classical also defers from Modern ballet. ... Modern ballet on the other hand is more of a creation of movement, which relates to the subject or theme of the ballet. The dancers are more expressive with their whole bodies, a group of dancers are used to add expression to ballet (not used as ornaments) and dancing and mime are to be used only to further the dramatic action. DANCERS AND THEIR ROLE In the Russian Classical Ballet of Swan Lake, the corps de ballet consists of 30 females, a prima ballerina played as Odette and her partner was the prince who was the principal dancer. ... The corps de ballet are there to interpret the other flock of swans. The Modern ballet piece has a bit of a twist to the original swan lake ballet; the entire dance consists of males.