"A lucid and interesting history" of ballet--from sixteenth-century
French Royalty to contemporary masters--"that reads like a novel"
(Kirkus Reviews).
In this engaging history of dance, readers are introduced to the major
performers, choreographers, and composers who influenced the development
of ballet. Beginning with the birth of the art in the sixteenth-century
French court of Catherine d' Medici, this informative text traces ballet
as it evolved in Europe and Russia, and subsequently in England and then
the United States. Included are details about the creation of such
classics as Giselle, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and
Serenade, as well as the contributions of such prominent figures as
Pavlova, Nijinsky, Balanchine, and Ashton. Fascinating facts include
inside looks at contemporary ballet companies, how toe shoes are made,
and what a professional dancer's day is like. All in all, a delightful,
enjoyable, and informative historical overview that will delight anyone
who enjoys the art of dance.