Ballet was first introduced to the world way back in the 1500’s in Italy! Many incredible dancers have graced our stages since then, all with varying strengths and talents. One of the things I love about dance is that there is no right or wrong way to dance and often your slightly different technique may be what makes you stand out and flourish.
All four of the below talents were incredibly independent and fearless – lets be inspired by them the next time we dance!
First, the iconic Anna Pavlova who brought ballet to the global stage and popularised it around the world. Her unforgettable portrayal of "The Dying Swan" in 1907 remains one of the most cherished performances in ballet history. Check it out here!
Anna Pavlova was fortunate to be trained by Enrico Cecchetti, as he was one of her most notable mentors, coincidentally it is the Cecchetti method of Ballet we teach here at KGD.
While her performances were a perfect blend of passion and grace, it was often the deep understanding of the characters she portrayed and willingness to experiment with choreography that left a last impact on the world. We love a fearless woman!
Rudolf Nureyev revolutionized the role of male dancers in ballet! The 2018 film, "The White Crow", was based on his life and the prominence he gave to men who wished to dance.
While he was dancing in 1961, ballet was firmly controlled by the government in Soviet Union. Eventually he fled the country so he could dance freely and this had a huge impact on Russians dancers and set new standards in the ballet world.
His legendary partnership with Margot Fonteyn remains one of the most influential collaborations in ballet history. See their mesmerizing Romeo & Juliet balcony scene here!
Naturally, let's turn our attention to the incredible Margot Fonteyn, who continued to dance well into her 50’s! See her stunning Sleeping Beauty performance here. Fonteyn popularised ballet in the UK and danced for the Queen at several high-profile events leading to them becoming friends friends.
Her exceptional technique, unparalleled control, and flawless execution of ballet movements captivated audiences worldwide. With her grace and elegance, she effortlessly brought characters to life and conveyed profound emotions through her fluid and expressive movements.
Lastly, Mikhail Baryshnikov, who continues to perform today. In 2016, he mesmerized us with "Letter to a Man," a show inspired by the life of Ballerina Vaslac Nijinsky. It’s an incredibly unique performance!
Despite also facing restrictions in his early career due to the standardized approach enforced by the Soviet government, he broke free from those limitations. His journey led him to join the National Ballet in Canada and to performing on his own terms in America. He also currently acts in the US (you may recognise him from Sex & the City!).
These ballet dancer broke boundaries, so not only can we watch their dances to be inspired by their incredible technique, but also their independence and love for dance. We are lucky to be able to dance freely today and not need to go to the extremes that these dancers may have, however to know the history should only make us more passionate.
Love Miss Karlie xx