Best Ballets of All Time

What does ChatGPT know about ballet?

I really miss ROMEO & JULIA and CINDERELLA. It’s hard to say which are the most iconic classical ballets.

Determining the „best“ classical ballets of all time is subjective and can vary based on personal preferences and historical significance. However, several ballets are widely celebrated for their artistic merit, impact on the art form, and enduring popularity. Here are some considered among the greatest:

  1. „Swan Lake“ (1876): Composed by Tchaikovsky, this ballet is a timeless classic known for its exquisite music and the story of Odette, a princess transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse.
  2. „The Nutcracker“ (1892): Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score accompanies this ballet, telling the magical story of a young girl’s journey through a whimsical world of fantasy on Christmas Eve.
  3. „The Sleeping Beauty“ (1890): Another Tchaikovsky masterpiece, this ballet showcases elaborate choreography and tells the story of Princess Aurora under the spell of a wicked fairy’s curse.
  4. „Giselle“ (1841): Considered a quintessential Romantic ballet, „Giselle“ tells the tragic story of a peasant girl who dies of a broken heart and becomes a spirit protecting her lover from vengeful spirits.
  5. „Don Quixote“ (1869): Based on Cervantes‘ novel, this lively ballet features Spanish-inspired choreography and follows the adventures of the chivalrous Don Quixote and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza.
  6. „Coppélia“ (1870): A charming and comedic ballet about a toymaker who creates a life-like doll, captivating the attention of a young man and his sweetheart.
  7. „La Bayadère“ (1877): Set in exotic India, this ballet combines intricate classical choreography with a captivating love story and mesmerizing scenes.

These ballets are celebrated for their beautiful music, intricate choreography, captivating storytelling, and their lasting impact on the world of dance. Their enduring popularity ensures their place among the most beloved and respected classical ballets of all time.

ChatGPT

See Header Image: Alexei Ratmansky reconstruction of SWAN LAKE for the Ballett Zürich © ballettzürich

Alexei Ratmansky, one of the most important choreographers of our time, has reconstructed this three-act version by Petipa/Ivanov for Ballett Zürich in 2016.

The Most Popular Ballets Today

Ask ChatGPT about ballet

Staatsballett Berlin;2.Akt Schwanensee; Inszenierung: Patrice Bart; Polina Semionova(1.Solo)als Odette/Odile; corps de ballet
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IS THE DYING SWAN Part of SWAN LAKE?

Not many ballet lovers know that these both ballets are not connected at all.

The DYING SWAN is a world-famous 4 minutes ballet choreographed by Mikhail Fokine to the music of Saint-Saens in 1905 for the great Prima Ballerina Anna Pavlova – premiered in St Petersburg in 1905. Anna Pavlova performed this ballet more than 4000 times and it became her signature ballet.

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My Top 5 Ballet and Dance Videos filmed in lookdown

Ballet Dancers in Isolation

Swans For Relief

32 premier ballerinas from 22 dance companies in 14 countries perform Le Cygne (The Swan) variation sequentially with music by Camille Saint-Saëns, performed by cellist Wade Davis, in support of Swans for Relief. Organized by Misty Copeland and Joseph Phillips, 100% of the funds raised will be distributed to each dancer’s company’s COVID-19 relief fund, or other arts/dance-based relief fund in the event that a company is not set up to receive donations.

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The Secret of Fouette Turns

How can ballerinas do turns on pointe?

You’ve seen dancers do the 32 fouettés in Swan Lake, but why don’t they get dizzy? David McAllister, Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet, is here to teach us how to turn like a dancer. ©FB Australian Ballet

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Schwanensee ohne 32 Fouettés

Martin SchLäpfer’s Neuinterpretation von 2018

Martin Schläpfer ist momentan ein sehr gefragter Choreograf. Gerade wurde der Ballettchef der Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf mit dem Grossen St.Galler Kulturpreis ausgezeichnet. 2020 übernimmt der Schweizer das renommierte Wiener Staatsballett.

Somit war ich sehr gespannt auf Schläpfer’s SCHWANENSEE, der heute morgen im WDR ausgestrahlt wurde. Sofort fällt auf, dass Schläpfer diesen Ballettklassiker sehr entschlackt hat.

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Swan Lake has taken 4 years of patience

Interview with Li Cunxin, Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet, also known as Mao’s Last Dancer

Everybody knowns the story of Mao’s Last Dancer but not everyone is aware of his current career as the Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet. I was lucky to get the opportunity to talk to him about the new production of Swan Lake in May 2017. Then I was invited to watch a rehearsal which I really loved. It was heartbreaking!

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5 Christmas gift ideas for Ballet lovers!

It’s only 25 days until Christmas – but there is still enough time to think about Christmas gifts!

Here are my top suggestions for all ballet lovers:

 

Theatre tickets

Invite your ballet loving friend to join you for a live ballet performance and top of the evening with a nice glass of champagne. There’s nothing better than some festive bubbles to enliven your discussion of the performance. The Nutcracker or Swan Lake are perfect ballet choices to get you both in the Christmas mood.

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TOP 10 Classical Ballet Companies

Top of the Ballet World

All rankings are subjective but first in mind I am thinking of the TOP 6  which have been internationally famous for decades and are the most common ones. These ballet companies are considered as such because they have a Ballet School, a repertoire,  a great corps, and have survived more than one director.

What do you think? Which company you love most?

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TOP Ballet SWAN LAKE interpretations

What is YOUR favorite?

If you want to see the ballet SWAN LAKE, better check first what interpretation will be shown. There are so many different versions. Almost every choreographer has done his own ballet. It is up to you. Watch youtube-Videos and accompanying descriptions.

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