The French word relever, which means to stand on the same leg as one’s partner, is central to ballet vocabulary. The term is also used to describe a position where the dancer is on one leg and lifting the other one at a 120-degree angle. The dancer is required to lift the foot lightly off the ground. A releve is usually performed by the principal female dancer of a ballet company. The male dancer is known as a ballerino.
Despite the numerous words in the ballet vocabulary, it is important to know the definition of basic terms and phrases to avoid confusing yourself during rehearsals. The following basic terms can help ballerinas in their training develop their strength, balance, and lines. A few basic terms you should know include adagio, demi-plie, and pirouette. The adagio is the opening sequence of a two-person dance, in which the dancer lifts the partner’s leg. The allegro, on the other hand, is a fast and energetic dance in which the working leg extends to the floor.
French-sounding words are common in ballet. Many of these words describe poses and movements, and were originally coined in France. In fact, most of the French-language terms that we use today have their origins in the French language, since the art of ballet was invented in France. King Louis XIV of France was a huge fan of ballet and even founded the first ballet school, the Paris Opera Ballet. By learning the French-language terms, you’ll be more confident communicating with fellow dancers.
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