What Is an Enveloppe in Ballet?

Ballet

Enveloppe in ballet is a French term meaning “envelopment” or “wrapping”. It refers to the movement of the leg when it curves around and wraps itself around another body part, such as the arm, neck, or waist. When an enveloppe is done correctly, it gives a graceful and elegant look to the dancer’s movement.

Enveloppe can be found in many different forms of dance, but it is most commonly seen in classical ballet. In ballet, enveloppe is often used to describe a specific type of movement: when the leg curves around and wraps itself around another body part, such as the arm or waist. This type of movement can be used in both leaps and turns, as well as other combinations.

The way that an enveloppe is performed depends on the type of move being executed. For example, when doing a grand jeté (also known as grand jeté en avant), the dancer will wrap their leg around their arm before leaping into the air.

The same principle applies for pirouettes and fouettés (turns and whips). By wrapping their legs around their arms or waists, dancers are able to create more dynamic movements with greater control and precision.

The use of an enveloppe can also be used to enhance the aesthetic quality of a performance. By using this technique during slow movements such as adagios or balances, dancers are able to create more fluidity in their movement and give it a more graceful appearance.

Enveloppe is an essential element of classical ballet technique that allows dancers to create beautiful lines with their bodies while executing jumps, turns, balances and other combinations with greater control and precision. It gives an elegant look to choreography by blending movements together seamlessly and making them appear effortless.

Conclusion: In conclusion, enveloppe is an essential element of classical ballet technique that allows dancers to gracefully wrap their legs around other body parts while executing jumps, turns, balances or other combinations with greater control and precision for a beautiful aesthetic look.