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Ballet

Whether you're a Nutcracker newcomer or a Swan Lake lover, we've got the answers to help you get the best out of the beautiful dance genre.

The history of ballet starts in the Italian courts, around the 15th century. It's no surprise the genre quickly spread, and was discovered by king Louis XIV, who took it upon himself to found the Royal Dance Academy - and basically defined classical ballet as we know it.

Many classical ballet works are performed with a classical music accompaniment. Tchaikovsky's famous ballet, The Nutcracker, refers to the music itself, as well as the dance moves, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.

Introduction to ballet

Ballet pictures

Top ballet pieces

Download 'Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia' on iTunes

Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978 : Armenia) Conductor: Neeme Jarvi Ensemble: Royal Scottish National Orchestra Record label: Chandos Catalogue ID: CHAN 8927

A Midsummer Night's Dream - Overture artwork

Download 'A Midsummer Night's Dream - Overture' on iTunes

A Midsummer Night's Dream - Overture Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847 : Germany) Conductor: Christian Thielemann Ensemble: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Deutsche Grammophon

Download 'Les Indes Galantes - Overture' on iTunes

Les Indes Galantes - Overture Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764 : France) Conductor: Christophe Rousset Ensemble: Les Talens Lyriques Record label: DECCA Catalogue ID: 4762596

Nutcracker - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy artwork

Download 'Nutcracker - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' on iTunes

Nutcracker - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893 : Russia) Conductor: Valery Gergiev Ensemble: Kirov Orchestra Record label: Philips Catalogue ID: 4700322

Swan Lake - Dance of the Cygnets artwork

Download 'Swan Lake - Dance of the Cygnets' on iTunes

Swan Lake - Dance of the Cygnets Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893 : Russia) Conductor: Vasily Petrenko Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Avie Catalogue ID: AV 2139

Download 'Swan Lake - Finale' on iTunes

Swan Lake - Finale Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893 : Russia) Conductor: Valery Gergiev Ensemble: Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, St.Petersburg Record label: Decca Music Group Catalogue ID: 4757669

Romeo & Juliet - The Montagues & Capulets artwork

Download 'Romeo & Juliet - The Montagues & Capulets' on iTunes

Romeo & Juliet - The Montagues & Capulets Sergei Prokofiev Conductor: Valery Gergiev Ensemble: Kirov Orchestra Record label: Philips Catalogue ID: 464 726-2

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Introduction to ballet

Ballet pictures

Top ballet pieces

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Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978 : Armenia) Conductor: Neeme Jarvi Ensemble: Royal Scottish National Orchestra Record label: Chandos Catalogue ID: CHAN 8927

A Midsummer Night's Dream - Overture Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847 : Germany) Conductor: Christian Thielemann Ensemble: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Deutsche Grammophon

Les Indes Galantes - Overture Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764 : France) Conductor: Christophe Rousset Ensemble: Les Talens Lyriques Record label: DECCA Catalogue ID: 4762596

Nutcracker - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893 : Russia) Conductor: Valery Gergiev Ensemble: Kirov Orchestra Record label: Philips Catalogue ID: 4700322

Swan Lake - Dance of the Cygnets Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893 : Russia) Conductor: Vasily Petrenko Ensemble: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Avie Catalogue ID: AV 2139

Swan Lake - Finale Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893 : Russia) Conductor: Valery Gergiev Ensemble: Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, St.Petersburg Record label: Decca Music Group Catalogue ID: 4757669

Romeo & Juliet - The Montagues & Capulets Sergei Prokofiev Conductor: Valery Gergiev Ensemble: Kirov Orchestra Record label: Philips Catalogue ID: 464 726-2

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Ballerina performs an exquisite routine, while riding a bicycle

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Yes, Princess Diana really danced to Uptown Girl as seen in The Crown. She also played piano.

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Paris Opera considering blackface ban after staff pressure to end racism

This traditional Russian folk ensemble appears to ‘float’ in mesmerising dance

Royal Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ will be performed at the Royal Opera House this Christmas

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Ballet dancer pirouettes in mid-air, suspended by only her hair

8 pulse-racing videos of male ballet dancers leaping very, very high.

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Royal Ballet dancers perform a duet on London canalside for audience on opposite bank

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