Contretemps is a French term used in ballet, which literally translates to ‘incidental setback’. In dance, it refers to a move which breaks the flow of the routine and disrupts the continuity of the performance. It is often used to describe an unexpected interruption or misstep that disrupts the dancers’ movements and can result in an unplanned pause in the music.
In its most basic form, contretemps involves a sudden change of direction or timing caused by an unexpected movement. This could be a misstep, an extended pose or jump, or any other interruption to the choreography. The effect of contretemps is often amplified if it occurs during a particularly difficult section of choreography, as this can cause further disruptions and confusion for both dancers and audience members alike.
The term ‘contretemps’ has been used in ballet for hundreds of years, with some scholars believing it originated from French court dances in the 18th century. Many famous ballets contain contretemps sequences, such as ‘Giselle’ and ‘The Nutcracker’. These moments can be thrilling for audiences and add suspense to performances, as they are not always expected and are usually only done at certain points during a routine.
So how do you pronounce contretemps? The correct pronunciation is ‘con-truh-tahm’ with the emphasis on the second syllable. It is important to note that this word is not pronounced like its English equivalent ‘contempt’; rather it has more of an emphasis on each syllable being distinct from one another.
In conclusion, contretemps is an important part of ballet which adds excitement and unpredictability to performances. The word itself derives from French court dances in the 18th century, and when spoken correctly should sound like ‘con-truh-tahm’.
Knowing how to pronounce this term correctly will greatly enhance your understanding of ballet terminology and appreciation for its complexity when watching live performances! How Do You Pronounce Contretemps In Ballet?
The correct pronunciation for contretemps in ballet is ‘con-truh-tahm’ with emphasis on all three syllables being distinct from one another – not like its English equivalent ‘contempt’. Knowing how to pronounce this term correctly will help deepen one’s appreciation for ballet as well as understanding of its complexity when watching live performances!