Uconn Dance Sport

As early as the 15^th century, ballet was being performed at Italian courts. The style originally emerged as a gentler adaptation of fencing. The form’s popularity grew, and during the 17^th century, the style arrived in France; later, it would emerge in Russia and Denmark, too. Ballets Russes, a Russian troupe led by Sergei Diaghilev, were extremely popular during the First World War. It was Ballets Russes that would keep ballet alive as it frizzled in Western Europe.Today the three most popular forms of ballet include classical, neoclassical and contemporary. In classical ballet, dancers must follow four guidelines: complete stretching of one’s leg if it’s not bent, pay attention to posture and position, present pointed feet when they aren’t touching the ground, and practices a turned-out form.Neoclassical ballet is more technical and performed to different tempos than other forms; however, structure is an important element of the form. Meanwhile, contemporary ballet is a mixture of modern movement and classical form. The rigid moves of the classical style are softened in contemporary; however, pointe work, as well as the classical technique, are still followed.If you’ve never seen a ballet performance, purchase tickets for The Nutcracker or Swan Lake.