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{{Short description|High-level member of a ballet company}}
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[[Image:Degas painting Perrot.jpg|thumb|250px|right|<center>[[Edgar Degas]] painting of the great balletmaster [[Jules Perrot]] conducting rehearsal in the ''Foyer de la Danse'' of the [[Palais Garnier]]. Paris, 1875]]
{{More citations needed|date=February 2024}}


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[[Image:Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas 021.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Edgar Degas]]' [[The Ballet Class (Degas, Musée d'Orsay)|painting]] of the ballet master [[Jules Perrot]] conducting rehearsal in the ''Foyer de la Danse'' of the [[Palais Garnier]], Paris, 1875]]
'''''Ballet Master''''' (also ''Balletmaster'', ''Ballet Mistress'', ''Premier Maître de ballet'' or ''Premier Maître de ballet en Chef'') is the term used for an employee of a [[ballet company]] who is responsible for the level of competence of the dancers in their company. In modern times, ballet masters (or ballet mistress for a female) are generally charged with teaching the daily company ballet class and rehearsing the [[dancers]] for both new and established [[ballets]] in the company's repertoire. The artistic director of a ballet company may also be called its ballet master.
A '''ballet master''' (also '''balletmaster''', '''ballet mistress''', '''''premier maître de ballet''''' or '''''premier maître de ballet en chef''''') is an employee of a [[ballet company]] who is responsible for the level of competence of the dancers in their company. In modern times, ballet masters are generally charged with teaching the daily company ballet class and rehearsing the [[dancers]] for both new and established [[ballets]] in the company's repertoire.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Craine |first1=Debra |last2=Mackrell |first2=Judith |title=The Oxford Dictionary of Dance |date=19 August 2010 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199563449 |page=39 |quote=Originally a term describing the man at court who oversaw all dance aspects of a production, it now commonly refers to the individual who is responsible for setting the rehearsal schedule in a ballet company. Ballet masters are also in charge of ensuring the maintenance of performing standards and frequently coach dancers in new roles.}}</ref> The artistic director of a ballet company, whether a male or female, may also be called its ballet master. Historic use of [[gender marking in job titles]] in ballet (and live theatre) is being supplanted by [[gender-neutral language]] job titles regardless of an employee's gender (e.g. ''ballet master'' in lieu of ''ballet mistress'', ''wig master'' as an alternative to ''wig mistress'').


==History of the position==
==History of the position==
Especially during the early centuries of ballet troupes and ballet companies from the 18th century until the early 20th century, the position of ''First'' Ballet master, referred to traditionally as the ''Premier Maître de ballet en Chef'' or more simply as the ''Maître de ballet'', was the undisputed head of the company who acted as chief choreographer and ''[[Artistic Director]]''. His duties included creating ballets, dances in operas, commissioning music, and presiding over the teaching of the dancers and style desired. It was this head ballet master who had the responsibility of the artistic directorship of a particular group of dancers or of a theatre.
Especially during the early centuries of ballet troupes and ballet companies from the 18th century until the early 20th century, the position of ''first'' ballet master, referred to traditionally as the ''premier maître de ballet en chef'' or more simply as the ''maître de ballet'', was the undisputed head of the company who acted as chief choreographer and [[artistic director]]. His duties included creating ballets, dances in operas, commissioning music, and presiding over the teaching of the dancers and style desired. It was this head ballet master who had the responsibility of the artistic directorship of a particular group of dancers or of a theatre. Since the early 20th century, primarily after the disbandment of the original [[Ballets Russes]], the title has been used more to describe the master teachers/assistant directors of a ballet company, (previously known as ''second'' ballet master), with the head of a company being referred to as the artistic director.


In recent years, companies have quietly begun to change the title's name given its hierarchical and dominating connotations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title="The Ballet Master": out of fashion? |url=https://www.danceforyou-magazine.com/the-ballet-master-out-of-fashion/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Dance for You Magazine |language=de-DE}}</ref> They have switched the name of the position to various titles such as Principal Teacher,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ABT Faculty & Musicians |url=https://www.abt.org/training/dancer-training/jko-school-pre-professional/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |website=ABT Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis School}}</ref> Artistic Manager,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Faculty & Staff |url=https://www.therockschool.org/faculty-staff |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=The Rock School for Dance Education |language=en-US}}</ref> and other such titles to avoid the politically charged word "master."
After the early 20th century, primarily after the disbandment of the original [[Ballets Russes]], the title has been used more to describe the master teachers/assistant directors of a ballet company, (previously known as ''Second'' Ballet master), with the head of a company being referred to as the ''Artistic Director''.


==Famous Ballet Masters==
==Famous ballet masters==
* '''[[Pierre Beauchamp]]''' (1631–1705), First ballet master of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] in [[Paris]] from 1673–1687, he invented the ''[[comédie-ballet]]'' with [[Molière]] and [[Jean-Baptiste Lully]], codified the [[five positions of the feet]] and created a system of dance notation.
* '''[[Pierre Beauchamp]]''' (1631–1705), first ballet master of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] in [[Paris]] from 1673 to 1687, he invented the ''[[comédie-ballet]]'' with [[Molière]] and [[Jean-Baptiste Lully]], codified the [[five positions of the feet]] and created a system of dance notation.
* '''[[Jean-Baptiste Landé]]''' (died 1748), Ballet master in Russia from 1733–1747, he is known as the parent of the Russian [[Mariinsky Ballet]].
* '''[[Jean-Baptiste Landé]]''' (died 1748), ballet master in Russia from 1733 to 1747; he is known as the parent of the Russian [[Mariinsky Ballet]].
* '''[[Jean-Georges Noverre]]''' (1727–1810), Ballet master of the [[Stuttgart Ballet]] from 1760–1767, of the [[Vienna State Opera|Wiener Hofoper]] in [[Vienna]] from 1768–1775 and of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] from 1776-1781. Between 1758 and 1760 he published his ''[[Lettres sur la danse et les ballets]]''. He is generally considered the creator of ''[[ballet d'action]]'', a precursor of the [[narrative ballet]] of the 19th century.
* '''[[Jean-Georges Noverre]]''' (1727–1810), ballet master of the [[Stuttgart Ballet]] from 1760 to 1767, of the [[Vienna State Opera|Wiener Hofoper]] in [[Vienna]] from 1768 to 1775 and of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] from 1776 to 1781. Between 1758 and 1760 he published his ''Lettres sur la danse et les ballets''. He is generally considered the creator of ''[[ballet d'action]]'', a precursor of the [[narrative ballet]] of the 19th century.
* '''[[Louis Gallodier]]''' (1734–1803), Ballet master in Sweden from 1773–1803, he is known as the parent of the [[Royal Swedish Ballet]].
* '''[[Louis Gallodier]]''' (1734–1803), ballet master in Sweden from 1773 to 1803; he is known as the parent of the [[Royal Swedish Ballet]].
* '''[[Jean Dauberval]]''' (1742–1806), Ballet master of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] from 1781–1783, he is known today as the Father of the Comedic ballet
* '''[[Jean Dauberval]]''' (1742–1806), ballet master of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] from 1781 to 1783; he is known today as the father of the comedic ballet.
* '''[[Pierre Gardel|Pierre-Gabriel Gardel]]''' (1758–1840) Ballet master of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] from 1787-1820. After [[Jean-Georges Noverre|Noverre]] he defended the ''[[ballet d'action]]'' in the early 19th century.
* '''[[Pierre Gardel|Pierre-Gabriel Gardel]]''' (1758–1840), ballet master of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] from 1787 to 1820. After [[Jean-Georges Noverre|Noverre]] he defended the ''[[ballet d'action]]'' in the early 19th century.
* '''[[Salvatore Viganò]]''' (1769–1821), Ballet master of the [[Vienna State Opera|Wiener Hofoper]] from 1799-1803. Ballet master of [[La Scala Theatre Ballet]] in [[Milan]] from 1811-1821. He is considered the father of a new kind of performance called ''coreodramma''.
* '''[[Salvatore Viganò]]''' (1769–1821), ballet master of the [[Vienna State Opera|Wiener Hofoper]] from 1799 to 1803. Ballet master of [[La Scala Theatre Ballet]] in [[Milan]] from 1811 to 1821. He is considered the father of a new kind of performance called ''coreodramma''.
* '''[[Filippo Taglioni]]''' (1777–1871), Ballet master of the [[Royal Swedish Ballet]] in [[Stockholm]] from 1803–1804 and 1817-1818. Born and trained as a dancer in his native [[Italy]], he is known today as the ''Father of [[Romanticism|Romantic]] Ballet''. Also a great choreographer and teacher, he was instrumental in the training of his daughter, [[Marie Taglioni]].
* '''[[Filippo Taglioni]]''' (1777–1871), ballet master of the [[Royal Swedish Ballet]] in [[Stockholm]] from 1803 to 1804 and 1817–1818. Born and trained as a dancer in his native [[Italy]], he is known today as the father of [[Romanticism|Romantic]] ballet. Also a great choreographer and teacher, he was instrumental in the training of his daughter, [[Marie Taglioni]].
* '''[[Jean Coralli]]''' (1779–1854), Ballet master of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] from 1831-1850 who was born Jean Coralli Perecini in [[Paris]] of [[Bolognese]] parents.
* '''[[Jean Coralli]]''' (1779–1854), ballet master of the [[Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique]] from 1831 to 1850. He was born Jean Coralli Perecini to [[Bolognese]] parents in [[Paris]].
* '''[[Carlo Blasis]]''' (1797–1878), Ballet master of [[La Scala Theatre Ballet School]] in [[Milan]] from 1838–1853, he was the first who published a complete analysis on the ballet techniques in 1820, in a work named [[Traité élémentaire, théorique, et pratique de l'art de la danse]] ("Elementary Treaty on the Art of the Dance, theory and practice").
* '''[[Carlo Blasis]]''' (1797–1878), ballet master of [[La Scala Theatre Ballet School]] in [[Milan]] from 1838 to 1853. He was the first to publish a complete analysis of ballet techniques in 1820, in a work named ''Traité élémentaire, théorique, et pratique de l'art de la danse'' ("Elementary Treaty on the Art of the Dance, Theory and Practice").
* '''[[Joseph Mazilier]]''' born Giulio Mazarini (1801–1868), Ballet master of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 1853-1859. Ballet master of the [[La Monnaie|Théatre Royal de la Monnaie]] in [[Brussels]] from 1866-1867. His creations witnessed the switch of the European center of dance from [[Paris]] to [[Saint Petersburg]] with the end of the [[Second French Empire|Second Empire]].
* '''[[Joseph Mazilier]]''', born Giulio Mazarini (1801–1868), ballet master of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 1853 to 1859. Ballet master of the [[La Monnaie|Théatre Royal de la Monnaie]] in [[Brussels]] from 1866 to 1867. His creations witnessed the switch of the European center of dance from [[Paris]] to [[Saint Petersburg]] with the end of the [[Second French Empire|Second Empire]].
* '''[[August Bournonville]]''' (1805–1879), Ballet master of the [[Royal Danish Ballet]] from 1828 to 1879 and the most prolific choreographer [[Denmark]] has ever known.
* '''[[August Bournonville]]''' (1805–1879), ballet master of the [[Royal Danish Ballet]] from 1828 to 1879 and the most prolific choreographer [[Denmark]] has ever known.
* '''Paul Taglioni''' (1808–1883), ''Deuxieme Maître de Ballet'' of the [[Ballet of Her Majesty's Theatre]] from 1847–1848, ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' from 1849-1851. ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' of the [[Court Opera Ballet]] in [[Berlin]] from 1852-1866.
* '''Paul Taglioni''' (1808–1883), ''Deuxieme Maître de Ballet'' of the [[Ballet of Her Majesty's Theatre]] from 1847 to 1848, ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' from 1849 to 1851. ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' of the Court Opera Ballet in [[Berlin]] from 1852 to 1866.
* '''[[Jules Perrot]]''' (1810–1892), ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' (First Ballet master) of the [[Ballet of Her Majesty's Theatre]] from 1843-1848. ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' to the [[St. Petersburg]] Imperial Theatres from 1849 to 1859.
* '''[[Jules Perrot]]''' (1810–1892), ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' (first ballet master) of the [[Ballet of Her Majesty's Theatre]] from 1843 to 1848. ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' to the [[St. Petersburg]] Imperial Theatres from 1849 to 1859.
* '''[[Christian Johansson]]''' (1817–1903), Coaching ballet master/master teacher for the [[Russian Imperial Ballet]] 1880 to 1900, particularly of the male students.
* '''[[Christian Johansson]]''' (1817–1903), coaching ballet master/master teacher for the [[Russian Imperial Ballet]] from 1880 to 1900, particularly of the male students.
* '''[[Marius Petipa]]''' (1818–1910), ''Maître de Ballet'' of the [[St. Petersburg]] Imperial Theatres from 1871 to 1903, ''Deuxieme Maître de Ballet'' from 1862-1871. ''The Father of Classical Ballet''.
* '''[[Marius Petipa]]''' (1818–1910), ''Maître de Ballet'' of the [[St. Petersburg]] Imperial Theatres from 1871 to 1903, ''Deuxieme Maître de Ballet'' from 1862 to 1871. "The Father of Classical Ballet".
* '''[[Arthur Saint-Léon]]''' born Arthur Michel (1821–1870), a Frenchman who was ballet master of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 1850–1853, then ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' of the [[St. Petersburg]] Imperial Theatres from 1859 until 1869.
* '''[[Arthur Saint-Léon]]''', born Arthur Michel (1821–1870), a Frenchman who was ballet master of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 1850 to 1853, then ''Maître de Ballet en Chef'' of the [[St. Petersburg]] Imperial Theatres from 1859 until 1869.
* '''[[Lev Ivanov]]''' (1834–1901), ''Deuxieme Maître de Ballet'' of the [[St. Petersburg]] Imperial Theatres from 1885 to 1901.
* '''[[Lev Ivanov]]''' (1834–1901), ''Deuxieme Maître de Ballet'' of the [[St. Petersburg]] Imperial Theatres from 1885 to 1901.
* '''[[Enrico Cecchetti]]''' (1850–1928), Ballet master for the celebrated [[Ballets Russes]] 1910.
* '''[[Enrico Cecchetti]]''' (1850–1928), ballet master for the [[Ballets Russes]] 1910.
* '''[[Nicolai Legat]]''' (1869–1937), Ballet master in Russia,
* '''[[Nicolai Legat]]''' (1869–1937), ballet master in Russia.
* '''[[Agrippina Vaganova]]''' (1879–1951), Ballet master of the [[Mariinsky Ballet|Kirov Ballet]] from 1931-1937 was an outstanding pedagogue who developed the [[Vaganova method]].
* '''[[Agrippina Vaganova]]''' (1879–1951), ballet master of the [[Mariinsky Ballet|Kirov Ballet]] from 1931 to 1937. She developed the [[Vaganova method]].
* '''[[Michel Fokine]]''' (1880–1942), Ballet master of the [[Mariinsky Ballet]] from 1904-1909. Choreographer of the [[Ballets Russes]] in [[Paris]] from 1909-1923. Ballet master of the [[Royal Danish Ballet]] in 1925.
* '''[[Michel Fokine]]''' (1880–1942), ballet master of the [[Mariinsky Ballet]] from 1904 to 1909. Choreographer of the [[Ballets Russes]] in [[Paris]] from 1909 to 1923. Ballet master of the [[Royal Danish Ballet]] in 1925.
* '''[[George Balanchine]]''' (1904–1983), Ballet master of the [[Royal Danish Ballet]] from 1930-1931. Ballet master and Director of the [[New York City Ballet]], in [[New York]] from 1949 to 1982.
* '''[[George Balanchine]]''' (1904–1983), ballet master of the [[Royal Danish Ballet]] from 1930 to 1931. Ballet master and director of the [[New York City Ballet]], in [[New York City|New York]] from 1949 to 1982.
* '''[[Frederick Ashton]]''' (1904–1988), Ballet master, Choreographer, and Director of [[England]]'s [[Royal Ballet]] from 1963 to 1970.
* '''[[Frederick Ashton]]''' (1904–1988), ballet master, choreographer, and director of [[England]]'s [[Royal Ballet]] from 1963 to 1970.
* '''[[Serge Lifar]]''' (1905–1986), Ballet master of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 1930–1944 and 1947-1958. One of the precursors of the [[Neoclassical ballet|neoclassical]] style.
* '''[[Serge Lifar]]''' (1905–1986), ballet master of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 1930 to 1944 and 1947–1958. One of the precursors of the [[Neoclassical ballet|neoclassical]] style.
* '''[[Alexander Ivanovich Pushkin]]''' (1907–1970), Ballet master, among his students [[Mikhail Baryshnikov]], [[Rudolf Nureyev]] and [[Farouk Ruzimatov]].
* '''[[Alexander Ivanovich Pushkin]]''' (1907–1970), ballet master; among his students were [[Mikhail Baryshnikov]] and [[Rudolf Nureyev]].
* ''' [[María de Ávila]]''' (born 1920), Ballet master, was the creator of the [[Ballet de Zaragoza]].
* '''[[María de Ávila]]''' (1920-2014), ballet master and the creator of the Ballet de Zaragoza.
* '''[[Roland Petit]]''' (1924–2011), Ballet master of the [[Ballet national de Marseille]] from 1972 to 1998.
* '''[[Roland Petit]]''' (1924–2011), ballet master of the [[Ballet national de Marseille]] from 1972 to 1998.
* '''[[Maurice Béjart]]''' (1927–2007), Ballet master of the [[La Monnaie|Théatre Royal de la Monnaie]] in [[Brussels]] from 1959-1987 where he founded the [[Ballet du XXe Siècle]]. Then he ran the [[Béjart Ballet Lausanne]] in [[Switzerland]] from 1987-2007.
* '''[[Maurice Béjart]]''' (1927–2007), ballet master of the [[La Monnaie|Théatre Royal de la Monnaie]] in [[Brussels]] from 1959 to 1987 where he founded the [[Ballet du XXe Siècle]]. Then he ran the [[Béjart Ballet Lausanne]] in [[Switzerland]] from 1987 to 2007.
* '''[[Kenneth MacMillan]]''' (1929–1992), Ballet master of the [[Deutsche Oper Berlin]] from 1966-69. Ballet master, Choreographer, and Director of England's [[Royal Ballet]] from 1970-1977.
* '''[[Kenneth MacMillan]]''' (1929–1992), ballet master of the [[Deutsche Oper Berlin]] from 1966 to 1969. Ballet master, choreographer, and director of England's [[Royal Ballet]] from 1970 to 1977.
* '''[[Vera Shvetsova]]''' (born 1929), Ballet master in [[State School of Ballet and Choreography of Minsk]] (Belarus)
* '''[[Vera Shvetsova]]''' (born 1929), ballet master of the State School of Ballet and Choreography of Minsk (Belarus).
* '''[[Rudolph Nureyev]]''' (1938–1993), Ballet master and Director of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 1983 to 1992. Before that, he enjoyed an illustrious career as a dancer in both the [[Soviet Union]] and in the west.
* '''[[Rudolph Nureyev]]''' (1938–1993), ballet master and director of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 1983 to 1992. Before that, he enjoyed an illustrious career as a dancer in both the [[Soviet Union]] and in the west.
* '''[[Anthony Dowell]]''' (born 1943), Ballet master and Director of England's [[Royal Ballet]] from 1986 to 2001.
* '''[[Anthony Dowell]]''' (born 1943), ballet master and director of England's [[Royal Ballet]] from 1986 to 2001.
* '''[[John Neumeier]]''' (born 1947), Ballet master of the [[Hamburg Opera|Hamburg Opera Ballet]] from 1973.
* '''[[John Neumeier]]''' (born 1939), ballet master of the [[Hamburg Opera|Hamburg Opera Ballet]] from 1973.
* '''[[Laurent Hilaire]]''' (born 1962), ballet master of the [[Paris Opera Ballet]] from 2005.
* '''[[Igor Moiseyev]]''' (1906-2007), ballet master of the [[Bolshoi Ballet]] and later on the [[Igor Moiseyev Ballet]]. One of the greatest masters of [[character dance]]


==Gallery of Ballet Masters==
==Gallery of ballet masters==
<center>
<gallery class="center">
Image:Filippo_Taglioni.jpg|Filippo Taglioni, circa 1820
<gallery>
Image:Filippo_Taglioni.jpg |Filippo Taglioni, circa 1820
Image:Jules Perrot -circa 1850.JPG|Jules Perrot, circa 1850
Image:Jules Perrot -circa 1850.JPG| Jules Perrot, circa 1850
Image:Marius Ivanovich Petipa -Feb. 14 1898.JPG|Marius Ivanovich Petipa
Image:coralli.jpg|Jean Coralli, one of the creators of the ballet ''Giselle'', Paris, circa 1810
Image:Marius Ivanovich Petipa -Feb. 14 1898.JPG |Marius Ivanovich Petipa
⚫
Image:Arthur Saint-Leon -photo by B. Braquehais -circa 1865.JPG|Arthur Saint-Léon, Paris, circa 1865

Image:coralli.jpg|Jean Coralli, one of the creators of the ballet ''Giselle''. Paris, circa 1810
Image:Jean Dauberval -circa 1790.JPG|{{center|Lithograph of Jean Dauberval, Paris, circa 1790}}
⚫
Image:August Bournonville.jpg|August Bournonville, 1841
⚫
Image:Arthur Saint-Leon -photo by B. Braquehais -circa 1865.JPG|Arthur Saint-Léon. Paris, circa 1865
Image:Jean Dauberval -circa 1790.JPG|<center>Lithograph of Jean Dauberval, Paris, circa 1790
Image:Enrico Cecchetti -circa 1900.jpg|Enrico Cecchetti, St. Petersburg, circa 1900
⚫
Image:August Bournonville.jpg |August Bournonville, 1841
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:Johansson.jpg| The Imperial Ballet's infamous teacher, Christian Johansson -->
Image:Enrico Cecchetti -circa 1900.jpg| Enrico Cecchetti, St. Petersburg, circa 1900
</gallery>
</gallery>

</center>
==References==
{{reflist}}


{{Ballet}}
{{Ballet}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Master, Ballet}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Master, Ballet}}
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[[Category:Ballet masters| Ballet master]]
[[Category:Ballet masters| Ballet master]]
[[Category:Ballet mistresses| Ballet mistress]]
[[Category:Ballet mistresses| Ballet mistress]]

[[da:Balletmester]]
[[de:Ballettmeister]]
[[es:Maestro de ballet]]
[[fr:Maître de ballet]]
[[ko:메트르 드 발레]]
[[hy:Բալետմաստեր]]
[[it:Maestro di balletto]]
[[ka:ბალეტმაისტერი]]
[[no:Ballettmester]]
[[ru:Балетмейстер]]
[[simple:Ballet Master]]
[[sv:Balettmästare]]

Latest revision as of 17:49, 5 November 2024

Edgar Degas' painting of the ballet master Jules Perrot conducting rehearsal in the Foyer de la Danse of the Palais Garnier, Paris, 1875

A ballet master (also balletmaster, ballet mistress, premier maître de ballet or premier maître de ballet en chef) is an employee of a ballet company who is responsible for the level of competence of the dancers in their company. In modern times, ballet masters are generally charged with teaching the daily company ballet class and rehearsing the dancers for both new and established ballets in the company's repertoire.[1] The artistic director of a ballet company, whether a male or female, may also be called its ballet master. Historic use of gender marking in job titles in ballet (and live theatre) is being supplanted by gender-neutral language job titles regardless of an employee's gender (e.g. ballet master in lieu of ballet mistress, wig master as an alternative to wig mistress).

History of the position

[edit]

Especially during the early centuries of ballet troupes and ballet companies from the 18th century until the early 20th century, the position of first ballet master, referred to traditionally as the premier maître de ballet en chef or more simply as the maître de ballet, was the undisputed head of the company who acted as chief choreographer and artistic director. His duties included creating ballets, dances in operas, commissioning music, and presiding over the teaching of the dancers and style desired. It was this head ballet master who had the responsibility of the artistic directorship of a particular group of dancers or of a theatre. Since the early 20th century, primarily after the disbandment of the original Ballets Russes, the title has been used more to describe the master teachers/assistant directors of a ballet company, (previously known as second ballet master), with the head of a company being referred to as the artistic director.

In recent years, companies have quietly begun to change the title's name given its hierarchical and dominating connotations.[2] They have switched the name of the position to various titles such as Principal Teacher,[3] Artistic Manager,[4] and other such titles to avoid the politically charged word "master."

Famous ballet masters

[edit]
[edit]
  • Filippo Taglioni, circa 1820
    Filippo Taglioni, circa 1820
  • Jules Perrot, circa 1850
    Jules Perrot, circa 1850
  • Marius Ivanovich Petipa
    Marius Ivanovich Petipa
  • Jean Coralli, one of the creators of the ballet Giselle, Paris, circa 1810
    Jean Coralli, one of the creators of the ballet Giselle, Paris, circa 1810
  • Arthur Saint-Léon, Paris, circa 1865
    Arthur Saint-Léon, Paris, circa 1865
  • Lithograph of Jean Dauberval, Paris, circa 1790
    Lithograph of Jean Dauberval, Paris, circa 1790
  • August Bournonville, 1841
    August Bournonville, 1841
  • Enrico Cecchetti, St. Petersburg, circa 1900
    Enrico Cecchetti, St. Petersburg, circa 1900

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Craine, Debra; Mackrell, Judith (19 August 2010). The Oxford Dictionary of Dance. Oxford University Press. p. 39. ISBN 9780199563449. Originally a term describing the man at court who oversaw all dance aspects of a production, it now commonly refers to the individual who is responsible for setting the rehearsal schedule in a ballet company. Ballet masters are also in charge of ensuring the maintenance of performing standards and frequently coach dancers in new roles.
  2. ^ ""The Ballet Master": out of fashion?". Dance for You Magazine (in German). 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  3. ^ "ABT Faculty & Musicians". ABT Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis School. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "Faculty & Staff". The Rock School for Dance Education. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
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