An elementary treatise upon the theory and practice of the art of dancing / by Carlo Blasis ; translated and with a biographical sketch and foreword by Mary Stewart Evans.

By: Material type: TextTextPublication details: New York : Dover Publications, 1968.Edition: Rev. edDescription: xv, 64 p : ill., port ; 22 cmISBN:
  • 048621592X (pbk)
  • 9780486215921 (pbk)
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 20 792.8 BLA
LOC classification:
  • GV1787 .B563 1968
Contents:
Ch. I General Instructions to Pupils -- Ch. II Study of the Legs -- Ch. III Study of the Body -- Ch. IV Study of the Arms -- Ch. V Principal Positions and their Derivatives -- Ch. VI Of Temps, Steps, Enchaînements and Entrechat -- Ch. VII Pirouettes -- Ch. VIII Dancers: Serious, Demi-Caractère and Comic -- Ch. IX The Master.
Summary: "The first practical treatise on the art and technique of balle, this work is the direct ancestor of the many subsequent ballet teaching guides, including those that are still being published today. Blais (1803?-1878) was the foremost male dancer of his time, until in his early 30's a foot injury ended his stage career. Subsequently he became director of the Imperial Academy at Milan which, under his leadership, grew from an obscure troupe to the recognised leading ballet company of the world. Up until our own time, the company that he first made famous has exercised influence on dancing all over the world, the Russian classical ballet in particular. Though it contains some general advice for beginners, this book is not meant as an introduction and complete course of ballet instruction. Rather it singles out common errors of technique and taste to be found in experienced dancers, and lucidly suggests how they should be remedied. Grouped under general headings - studies od legs, arms, body, principal positions, etc. - the work concentrates particularly on ronds de jambe, arabesques, attitudes (which Blasis is credited with inventing, but probably did not), entrechats and pirouettes. Blasis's own drawings illustrate the text. Aside from its unusual historical interest, the book has always been an important source of commentary and criticism for all dancers and choreographers. Though the style of many of the attitudes and movements is different from the modern, the book offers valuable advice and instruction on universal problems of technique and of expression and good taste which are difficulties that each dancer must overcome." -- Book cover
Tags from this library: No tags from this library for this title. Log in to add tags.
Star ratings
    Average rating: 0.0 (0 votes)
Holdings
Item type Current library Collection Call number Status Notes Date due Barcode
Books Books Academy of Music & Performing Arts Library General Stacks Non-fiction 792.8 BLA (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available Kindly donated by J. Dyson A06414

Translation of Traité élémentaire, théorique et pratique de lárt de la danse.

Ch. I General Instructions to Pupils -- Ch. II Study of the Legs -- Ch. III Study of the Body -- Ch. IV Study of the Arms -- Ch. V Principal Positions and their Derivatives -- Ch. VI Of Temps, Steps, Enchaînements and Entrechat -- Ch. VII Pirouettes -- Ch. VIII Dancers: Serious, Demi-Caractère and Comic -- Ch. IX The Master.

"The first practical treatise on the art and technique of balle, this work is the direct ancestor of the many subsequent ballet teaching guides, including those that are still being published today.
Blais (1803?-1878) was the foremost male dancer of his time, until in his early 30's a foot injury ended his stage career. Subsequently he became director of the Imperial Academy at Milan which, under his leadership, grew from an obscure troupe to the recognised leading ballet company of the world. Up until our own time, the company that he first made famous has exercised influence on dancing all over the world, the Russian classical ballet in particular.
Though it contains some general advice for beginners, this book is not meant as an introduction and complete course of ballet instruction. Rather it singles out common errors of technique and taste to be found in experienced dancers, and lucidly suggests how they should be remedied. Grouped under general headings - studies od legs, arms, body, principal positions, etc. - the work concentrates particularly on ronds de jambe, arabesques, attitudes (which Blasis is credited with inventing, but probably did not), entrechats and pirouettes. Blasis's own drawings illustrate the text.
Aside from its unusual historical interest, the book has always been an important source of commentary and criticism for all dancers and choreographers. Though the style of many of the attitudes and movements is different from the modern, the book offers valuable advice and instruction on universal problems of technique and of expression and good taste which are difficulties that each dancer must overcome." -- Book cover

There are no comments on this title.

to post a comment.