Pas de deux

In ballet, a pas de deux [pɑ d(ə) dø] (French, literally "step of two") is a dance duet in which two dancers, typically a male and a female, perform ballet steps together. The pas de deux is characteristic of classical ballet and can be found in many well-known ballets, including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Giselle. It is most often performed by a male and a female (a danseur and a ballerina) though there are exceptions, such as in the film White Nights, in which a pas de deux is performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines.

Grand pas de deux

A grand pas de deux is a structured pas de deux that typically has five parts, consisting of an entrée (introduction), an adagio, two variations (a solo for each dancer), and a coda (conclusion). It is effectively a suite of dances that share a common theme, often symbolic of a love story or the partnership inherent in love, with the dancers portraying expressions of affectionate feelings and thoughts between romantic partners. It is often considered to be the pièce de résistance and bravura highlight of a ballet and is usually performed by a leading pair of principal dancers.

Pas de deux (film)

Pas de deux (released as Duo in the United States) is a 1968 short dance film by Norman McLaren, produced by the National Film Board of Canada.

The film was photographed on high contrast stock, with optical, step-and-repeat printing, for a sensuous and almost stroboscopic appearance. It shows a ballerina (Margaret Mercier) dancing by herself (or rather, with images of herself), before being joined by a male dancer (Vincent Warren), to perform the pas de deux of the title, as choreographed by Ludmilla Chiriaeff.

The film is choreographed to Romanian pan pipe music.

Awards

Pas de deux received 17 awards, including the 1969 BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and an Academy Award nomination, as Duo.

References

  • Collins, Maynard (1976). Norman McLaren (Canadian film series): Canadian Film Institute. ASIN B0006CVBIW
  • External links

  • IMDb entry
  • Watch online at NFB Web site

  • Pas de deux (disambiguation)

    Pas de deux is a ballet duet in which steps are performed together.

    Pas de deux may also refer to:

    In ballet:

  • Pas de Deux (d'Amboise), a ballet by Christopher d'Amboise
  • Pas de Deux (Robbins) or Andantino, a ballet by Jerome Robbins
  • Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux, a ballet by George Balanchine
  • In other uses:

  • Pas de Deux (band), a Belgian band
  • Pas de deux (dressage), a performance with two horses
  • Pas de deux (film), a 1968 film directed by Norman McLaren
  • Pas de deux (Horner), a 2014 double concerto by James Horner
  • "Pas de Deux" (Law & Order: Criminal Intent), an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent
  • Pas de Deux (solitaire), a card game
  • Podcasts:

    Pas de Deux

    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Latest News for: pas de deux

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    American Repertory Ballet to hold annual gala

    The Trentonian 25 Mar 2025
    The organization will honor B ... The program will open with a d�fil� featuring 80 ballet school students, followed by the company premiere of Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux choreographed by George Balanchine and excerpts from works by other choreographers.
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    State Opera House Launches Largest-Ever Tour to Taiwan

    Hungary Today 24 Mar 2025
    ... dancers from the company embarked on a six-stop tour, presenting László Seregi’s choreography Variations on a Children’s Song, along with classical and modern pas de deux (dance duet in ballet).
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    A family legacy behind ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Sarasota Ballet

    Herald-Tribune Sarasota 23 Mar 2025
    He focused the story primarily on the young lovers, to whom he gave three extended pas de deux ... “He didn’t just say yes, he revised it himself” – including adding a new male pas de trois in the second ...
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    IMAGO

    British Theatre Guide 19 Mar 2025
    Beautiful lifts, entwining pas de deux and much hand play is set to a soundscene melding Vivaldi, Max Richter and brother Sean Pett’s industrial electro (featuring a distorted tractor at one point) as ...
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    ‘Like seeing an old friend’: Oyinkan Braithwaite on My Sister, the Serial Killer becoming a ballet

    The Observer 19 Mar 2025
    One dead body. Two sisters. Two pairs of yellow gloves ... View image in fullscreen ... During her pas de deux with Dr Tade, played by Ebony Thomas, she allows him to feel in control, to pull her closer, and reach for her as she dances on pointe around him ... .
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    China welcomes Modi's positive remarks on ties

    The Times of India 18 Mar 2025
    India and China should be partners contributing to each other's success and a cooperative 'pas de deux' between the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for the two countries, Beijing said ...
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    Brown Original Series premieres ‘Shopfront,’ ‘Pas de Deux’

    The Brown Daily Herald 17 Mar 2025
    On Thursday night, Brown Original Series premiered its two latest productions, “Shopfront” and “Pas de Deux,” to a packed audience at the Avon Cinema on Thayer Street ... On the other hand, “Pas de Deux” delivers an intense psychological drama.
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    ‘Ballet Between Dragon And Elephanat Is Only Choice’: China On PM Modi’s ‘Positive’ Remarks

    Zeenews 17 Mar 2025
    "A cooperative pas de deux, a ballet between the dragon and the elephant, is the only choice for both sides," Mao Ning said ... .
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    China welcomes PM Modi’s comments, says Beijing ready to rebuild ties

    Hindustan Times 17 Mar 2025
    NEW DELHI ... (ANI Photo) (DPR PMO/via ANI) ... A cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides,” Mao said, repeating a phrase used by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi earlier this month ... ....
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    'Ballet between dragon & elephant': China praises PM Modi's remarks on bilateral ties in Fridman's podcast

    The Times of India 17 Mar 2025
    Furthermore, she underlined the historical interactions between the two nations, stating, 'In the 2000-plus years of history, the two countries have maintained friendly exchanges and learned from each ...
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    China 'appreciates' PM Modi's 'positive remarks', says willing to work with India

    International Business Times 17 Mar 2025
    Beijing also asserted taht China always believes that the two should be partners that contribute to each other's success and a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides ... (With inputs from IANS) ... .
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    The Sleeping Beauty is More Magical Than Ever at Houston Ballet

    Houston Press 15 Mar 2025
    ... of Act III — specifically, Aurora and Florimund’s exquisite grand pas de deux, a splendid pas de quatre and the crowd-pleasing appearance of folks from the fairy-tale character shared universe.
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    BalletNext jetés onto the Santy stage next week

    Park Record 14 Mar 2025
    The production will feature the third-act pas de deux from “Sleeping Beauty” that will be danced by Ava Prentice from the Connecticut Ballet and Hunter Solomon from Ballet Tucson, Wiles said.
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    On the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, what have we learned?: L.A. Arts and ...

    The Los Angeles Times 10 Mar 2025
    So bad ... Omnibus ... wiltern.com THURSDAY American Ballet Theatre Studio Company The troupe of rising stars performs works including “Interplay” by Jerome Robbins, “Tarantella” by George Balanchine and the Black Swan pas de deux from “Swan Lake.” 7.30 p.m.
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