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In previous eras, opera and ballet were more intimately linked than they
are today. That is why the Palais Garnier in Paris has since 1875 been
home to both the Paris Opera and the Paris Opera Ballet — although most
operas are now performed in the Opera Bastille.
The Paris Ballet also has an associated school, the École de Danse de
l’Opéra de Paris, which this year celebrates its 300th year. In the early
days the dancers were male, with females entering into the mix in the late
17th and 18th centuries. The vision we have today of thin young females
dancing around in tutus was a creation of 19th century ballet
blanc.
The dancers at the school are referred to as "the little rats" because
they scurry hither and thither among various practice rooms at the
Garnier in a very intense fashion — the school is extremely competitive.
I once dated a girl (back in the early nineties) whose little sister was a ballet girl. She was 11, 12 years old. It's a tough life. She had to eat special stuff, and she had these digital scales (very high-end back then) that she would use for weighing everything that was served. To keep proper balance, I reckon. Metabolistic, I mean. She was also a very polite and well informed about stuff, smart too. So was the entire family.
Originally posted by Aqualion:
Yes, rough. I knew a couple of dancers back at Indiana University in the 70s, and with the exception of a heart transplant surgeon I met a couple of years ago they were the most intense individuals I've ever met.Perhaps it's because when a musician steps away from their instrument, they in a sense get some time off. But a ballet dancer can never step away, their very bodies are a reminder of what they want to achieve even when they are just walking down the sidewalk.There's also the age factor — probably more significant for dancers than for musicians.
Ballet/dance and gymnastics are very similar in those aspects. The body is the instrument. And there comes a time when the dancer and the gymnast pays a heavy price for their "music," much quicker than most others do.
Little rats :left: I've never heard that before but then again, I don't know much about ballet…I think I was watching ballet only once or twice in my life. It was never a big part of overall culture in my circle of friends, but I remember few people from my youth that would never miss the opportunity. We considered them odd back then. After I started practicing martial arts, I was considered odd by some people, too :left: 😛
When I was in std6 (8th grade) there was a boy in the hostel who was learning ballet. I think he was in std3 or std4. As you can imagine, he was badly ridiculed and changed schools later!Having seen Sofya Skya in the film White Swan, I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of someone who dances ballet! :insane:
Originally posted by qlue:
Ha! I haven't seen it, but there is this movie also.
Originally posted by Stardancer:
Exactly what I was trying to say except better put. I heard once that the muscles that are stretched across the years by ballet will sag if a dancer stops dancer, making the body look funny. Not sure how true that is.
Originally posted by gdare:
I can see a good deal of ballet in the martial arts. Or perhaps vice versa. In any case they both take devout discipline. :up:
And I haven't seen that yet! :p