The Romantic Era of ballet began around 1820 and lasted until the 1890s. It was a period of great artistic expression and creativity, and it is often seen as the foundation for modern ballet.
During this period, many of the conventions that we now associate with ballet began to take shape, such as the use of pointe work in female choreography, the inclusion of mime and acting in performances, and a focus on narrative-driven stories. But what are the main themes that were established during this era? Here we look at four primary themes of Romantic Era Ballet.
1. Nature
Nature was an important theme during this era, with many ballets featuring scenes set in natural landscapes or involving characters from nature such as animals or mythical creatures like fairies. This theme was particularly popular with French ballets, which often featured pastoral settings and characters such as shepherds and shepherdesses.
2. Love
Love was another important theme during this period, with many ballets focusing on stories about love between two people. These ballets often explored themes such as forbidden love and unrequited love, as well as stories that had happy endings where true love ultimately won out.
3. Fantasy
Fantasy was also a popular theme during this period, with many ballets featuring magical elements such as spells or supernatural beings like witches or fairies. These ballets often featured imaginative settings and costumes that were designed to transport audiences to another world.
4. History
History was also an important theme during this era, with many ballets being based on historical events or famous people from history. For example, Giselle is based on a German folktale about a peasant girl who dies after discovering her lover is betrothed to someone else.
Conclusion
The Romantic Era of ballet saw an explosion of creativity that laid the foundations for modern ballet. Four key themes emerged during this period – Nature, Love, Fantasy and History – all of which are still present in contemporary ballet today.