Ballet History

premiered in 1841 in Paris

Giselle

choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot

Giselle

considered one of ballets greatest achievements

Giselle

known for the famous "mad scene

Giselle

premiered 1890 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg

The Sleeping Beauty

choreographed by Marius Petipa

The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, La Bayad�re, Don Quiote, and The Nutcracker

known for the Rose Adagio (Margo Fonteyn popularized the attitude balance sequence that is now used throughout all versions)

The Sleeping Beauty

this was Tchaikovsky's longest ballet, clocking at 4 hours (today 2.5 hours)

The Sleeping Beauty

premiered in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and was a failure, then once again premiered in 1895 at the Mariinsky Theatre and was a huge success due to restaging

Swan Lake

originally choreographed by Julia Reisinger but later rechoreographed by Marius Petipa in the version we see today

Swan Lake

the two lead roles are played by the same dancer

Swan Lake

the most iconic scene is when Odile performed 32 fouettes

Swan Lake

also known for "Dance of the Little Swans

Swan Lake

premiered in 1877 at the Imperial Bolshoi Kamenney Theatre in St. Petersburg

La Bayad�re

known for the entrance of 32 female corps members appear on stage one by one

La Bayad�re

the ballet is a story about eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance, and justice

La Bayad�re

premiered in 1869 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow

Don Quixote

George Balanchine created his own Don Quixote in 1965 and cast himself to play the title role

Don Quixote

the Grand Pas de Duex From the final scene is performed more than the full length

Don Quixote

premiered in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg

The Nutcracker

George Balanchine later adapted his own version and brought it to America and is now seen what is on stage today

The Nutcracker

originally considered a huge failure

The Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky didn't think it compared to his other scores, and died less than a year later, not knowing what a huge international success the ballet would later become

The Nutcracker