Romanticism

Ballet…

• Continues to develop and remain popular

New Conventions:– Pointe shoes become

popular (defying gravity)– Skirts/tutus get shorter to

show the more complicated steps that are developing

Star Ballerinas become the fashion…

Maria Taglioni (1804 – 1884)

• 1st to excel en pointe• Establishes the bell-

shaped tutu as the norm• Originates the title role

of La Sylphide (one if the first Romantic ballets)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw4zPn59eiI&feature=related (55:00) Paris, 2004

Star Ballerinas become the fashion…

Fanny Elssler (1810 – 1899)

• Perfects the art of character dancing (acting & dancing)

Star Ballerinas become the fashion…

Fanny Cerrito (1817-1909)

• Known as a dancer AND choreographer

• Dances the pas de quatre with other ballerinas of the day

• Studies technique with Carlo Blasis

Star Ballerinas become the fashion…

Lucile Grahn ( 1819-1899

• Was a dancer & ballet producer

• Danced the Pas de quatre

Star Ballerinas become the fashion…

Carlotta Grisi (1819-1899)

• Originates the role of Giselle

• Dances in the pas de quatre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HjfYNr_31w&feature=related (London, Royal Ballet, 2007)

Code of Terpsicore

1830• Carlo Blasis (dancer,

teacher, choreographer) writes this handbook for the teaching of ballet

• It is still in use today, without many changes

• Originates the “attitude” position

• Teaches at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy

Romantic Theatre

Central beliefs:• There is a higher truth than the physical

(the spiritual )• The less sophisticated the person… the

more “pure” he/she is• The physical side of a person is often at

odds with the spiritual• One can only become a superior human

being when one is in touch with the artist or philosopher in ourselves

German Romantic Theatre• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

(1749-1832)• Writes Faust, parts 1 (1808) &

2 (1831)• It is significant because it’s a

turn away from the standard Faust which is usually a morality tale

• His Faust becomes a musical work and an opera for many of the best composers of the time

French Romantic Theatre

• Literary works are translated for the stage: Victor Hugo’s Cromwell, Dumas’ 3 Muskateers and The Count of Monte Cristo

• Edmond Rostand’s play, Cyrano de Bergerac

Melodramamelody + drama

Conventions…• Uses background music to heighten the

emotional impact of a scene on the audience (lyrical music = love scene/ominous music – danger)

• Use big, detailed scenery• Simplified characters (good or evil)• Stock characters with little character

development• Actors use exaggerated movements & poses• Frantic chase scenes, duels, fights, etc.• Working –class audiences grow because of

the added emotional appeals

Melodrama stock characters…

Villain Hero

Villain’s sidekick Damsel in distress

Theatre Spaces… the giant Auditorium!

• As interest increases, theatres are built with more and more capacity (2000+) in the proscenium style

• Seats change from wooden benches to comfy, individual chairs

• Sets are more elaborate (need to be seen)• Acting style is much more deliberate so

that the voices project to everyone• Everything becomes more historically

accurate• Technology develops… hydraulic lifts are

built into the stage floor – gas lighting is used and can be controlled

The Auditorium Theatre, Chicago

The Drury Lane Theatre, London

(a.k.a. the Royal Theatre)