| "This is that form of dance that grew out of the sixteenth and seven-teenth century social dance of the Italian and French courts. From the time of Louis XIV and the great French dancing master Beauchamp, and from others, especially in Italy and Russia, a standard code of movements were developed. With five fundamental positions of the feet and legs and associated positions of the arms and hands, the vocabulary of ballet is objective, precise, and unchanging. "
"One of the most basic laws of ballet is "aplomb," perfect balance and stability, which can only be acquired through constant training and practice. Elevation, line, lightness are other bases for the ballet dancer. He must know the technique of classical ballet and must then acquire maturity and mastery of expression. There is a perfection of craftsmanship, a tidiness and deftness of movements, as well as the streamlined exactness, which is particularly valuable for the classical ballet."
Excerpts "Lois Ellfeldt"
Dance from magic to art
P. 110-111
© 1976
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"The art of dancing has ever been acknowledged to be one of the most suitable and necessary arts for physical development and for affording the primary and most natural preparation for all bodily exercises, and, among others, those concerning the use of weapons, and consequently it is one of the most valuable and useful arts for nobles and others who have the honour to enter our presence not only in time of war in our armies, but even in time of peace in our ballets"
--Letter Patent, from Louis XIV
Academy of the Dance, 1661
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FOOTWORK FIRST
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Feet of Ballarina on Point
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