Romantic ballet is ageless

During the romantic era of the 1800's when literature and art were rapidly evolving, the romantic ballet was also introduced. Before this time male dancers dominated the stage. However when dancer, Marie Taglioni was introduced to the world in Paris 1892, as Sylphide in La Sylphide, romantic ballet was born.

In a romantic ballet, female dancers took centre stage. Two male artists during this time, Jules Perrot and Arthur Saint-Leon, were both talented, but danced second to the female ballerinas. This new style emphasized softer arm movements and a tilting of the upper torso, providing an extra hint of elegance and femininity. Pointe shoes were also introduced which allowed for more intricate footwork. This was also more evident as the length of the skirt was shortened.

Presently the standards of the romantic ballet have been upheld by numerous companies today performing such productions as Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and Swan Lake. These full length story productions continue to provide audiences with a traditional and yet ageless style.