The six different styles of ballet are classical, romantic, neoclassical, contemporary, character and historical. Each style has its own unique features and qualities that distinguish it from the others.
Classical Ballet is the oldest style of ballet and is based on the French court dance from the 17th century. It is renowned for its technical precision and athleticism as well as its beauty and grace.
The steps for classical ballet were codified by Jean-Georges Noverre in his book “Lettres sur les Arts Imitatifs” in 1760. Characteristics of classical ballet include highly-developed technique, rigid body lines, poise and a strict adherence to form.
Romantic Ballet emerged in the early 19th century as an alternative to classical ballet. It was inspired by romanticism, an artistic movement that flourished in Europe during this period.
Romantic ballet focused on emotion rather than technique or formality. Costumes were often lighter and more flowing than those used in classical ballets, and stories were often melodramatic or tragic in nature.
Neoclassical Ballet developed in the late 19th century as a reaction to romanticism. It was characterized by its use of abstract movement and minimalistic costumes to create a sense of purity and simplicity. The steps for neoclassical ballets were often simpler than those used in classical ballets but still required considerable skill to perform correctly.
Contemporary Ballet emerged in the mid-20th century as an evolution of neoclassical ballet. It combines elements of both classical and modern dance styles with its own unique features including improvisation, physicality and experimentation with new ideas about movement and expression.
Character Ballet, also known as dramatic or theatrical ballet, originated from folk dances such as those performed by peasants at festivals or courtiers at royal balls. Character ballets involve dancing that tells a story or conveys a certain emotion through exaggerated movements.
Historical Ballet, also known as period performance or reconstructive dance, uses choreography from past eras to recreate dances from significant events or periods of history such as the Baroque era or French Revolution. This style is closely linked to academic research into historical dance styles.
Conclusion:
These six different styles of ballet all have their own unique characteristics that make them distinctive from each other. From Classical which focuses on technical precision to Historical which recreates dances from past eras; there is something for everyone no matter what their preference may be when it comes to appreciating this beautiful art form!