Young dancers can benefit from studying ballet performances. While live performances are often expensive due to ticket costs and travel, ballet films present an affordable opportunity to watch a full spectrum of ballet dancers and choreography. Dancers in the child-to-tween ages particularly learn from the classics.
The Nutcracker
The most well-known and beloved ballet for young dancers is The Nutcracker. Almost every dancer, whether professional or amateur, has seen or performed in this ballet. With the swirling and dramatic score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 to 1893) and original choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, the ballet premiered December 18, 1892, at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia.
The ballet focuses on a young girl, named Clara or Marie, and her adventures on Christmas Eve, when she receives a nutcracker from a party guest. Young dancers play her friends, and participate in the first act party scene, as well as later during a battle between mice and toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker Prince. Act Two offers more chances for young dancers to play angels, Mother Ginger's children, and candy canes.
The 1977 Version of The Nutcracker
The present definitive version of The Nutcracker dates from 1977, and stars Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland, both with the American Ballet Theatre at the time of production. Baryshnikov had trained in Russia and defected, joining the Russian tradition with Kirkland, who trained with George Balanchine, a Russian who came to American and founded the New York City Ballet.
Coppelia
One of the earliest story ballets, Coppelia was first performed in 1870 at the Theatre Imperial de l'Opera, in Paris. Giuseppina Bozzachi (1853 to 1870) danced the lead part of Swanhilda, a village girl in love with Franz. Swanhilda's plans go awry when Franz sees and falls in love with the mysterious Coppelia, daughter of Dr. Coppelius, the local dollmaker. Coppelia only sits and stares at the love-smitten Franz. Angry and jealous, Swanhilda and some of her friends sneak into his workshop, where they discover that the beautiful Coppelia is only a life-sized doll.
This ballet was composed by Leo Delibes and choreographed by Arthur Saint-Leon. The choreography contains a blend of folk dancing with ballet steps and pointe work. Young dancers enjoy the humor, especially in the scene at Dr. Coppelius's workshop, where Swanhilda dresses as Coppelia to trick the old dollmaker into thinking his creation has come alive.
The slapstick comedy appeals to young dancers who can learn how humor blends with choreography. An example is the series of dance steps in the Royal Ballet production where Swanhilda as Coppelia comes hits Dr. Coppelius and moves when he isn't looking. Of all the story ballets, Coppelia combines laughs with the sadness of the dollmaker when he realizes Coppelia is only a doll after all. The colorful costumes and the animated toys in Dr. Coppelius' shop continue to engage the attention of young dancers.
References
Coppelia. The Royal Ballet. 2000. YouTube.
The Nutcracker. American Ballet Theatre. 1977. Starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. Music for Little People.
The Nutcracker. American Ballet Theatre. 1977. Starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. YouTube.
The Nutcracker. Anaheim Ballet. Samples from the ballet. YouTube.
Teresa Knudsen - Teresa's writing appears in the British Library, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Online she has written for USA Today and E How.
Join the Conversation