Character dance

Fanny Elßler dances a cachucha in Le Diable boiteux

Character dance is a special subspecies of classical dance based on folk dances from different peoples or nations . These were stylized and inserted into the classic narrative ballets. The expression "character" is related to the subject of the actor or their type of movement and was still meant in the 19th century as a gross contrast to the behavior of the "fine" noble figures.

Until the beginning of the 19th century, when there was still a clear distinction between popular pantomime and courtly ballet, this is known as grotesque dance .

Examples

• Arabic dance, Chinese dance and Russian trepak in The Nutcracker
• Hungarian czardas , Neapolitan dance, Spanish dance and Polish mazurka in Swan Lake
• Mazurka, Czardas, Bolero and Gigue in Coppélia
• Seguidilla and dances of the toreros in Don Quixote

When character dance usually not the usual ballet shoes (are pointe shoes or slippers ) worn, but shoes (or lace-up shoes for men) with a heel.

literature

• Jürgen Pagels : Character dance: basics and methodology. Wilhelmshaven: Heinrichshofen 1985 ISBN 978-3-7959-0363-3