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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 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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The most iconic ballets of all time. Pictured: Austrian Ballet’s Swan Lake

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Introduction to ballet

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Top ballet pieces

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Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia Aram Khachaturian 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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Ballet dropped as audition requirement at top UK dance school in diversity drive

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Native American ballerina statue, destroyed and sold by thieves for $250, to be restored

Surprisingly graceful chihuahua performs ‘Swan Lake’ ballet routine at Crufts dog show

Ballet dancers from Kyiv National Opera join military to fight for Ukraine

Russian ballet and music performances cancelled as arts venues voice support for Ukraine

Russia’s Mariinsky Orchestra allegedly went on tour while infected with Covid-19

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Famed ballet dancer Yat-Sen Chang jailed for nine years for abusing students

Health worker performs graceful ballet routine in ‘moment of pure joy’ at Utah hospital

This psychedelic video will change everything you think you know about ballet

Ex-English National Ballet dancer Yat-Sen Chang faces long-term jail sentence after sexual abuse conviction

Black ballet dancer who had to ‘white up’ for Swan Lake wins Berlin racism case

Liam Scarlett, former Royal Ballet choreographer, dies aged 35

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Nigerian 11-year-old ballet dancer given scholarship following viral video

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

Backlash over ‘disappointing stereotypes’ as MP says northerners like football, southerners prefer ballet

Spine-tingling moment ballerina with Alzheimer’s remembers routine to Swan Lake

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This stunning video of a Harlem ballet company dancing to Bach will give you goosebumps

Photographer behind viral ‘Fatima’ ballerina photo says she is ‘devastated’ by government advert

Government scraps controversial campaign that suggested ballet dancers ‘rethink’ and ‘reskill’

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

Royal Ballet to return with real-life couple bubbles performing duets

Ballet pupils face losing fees as dance school closes amid sexual misconduct claims

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

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

Ballet’s return to stage barred by coronavirus, as 30 dancers test positive for COVID-19

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

Mystery ballerina appears on London canalside, dancing to ‘The Swan’ for an audience in canoes

Nigerian 11-year-old boy dances barefoot in the rain, proves the universal power of ballet

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