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Period: 1700 BCE to 1700 BCE
In the late Baroque era, the minuet became a favored dance at European courts, known for its graceful moves. It remained popular into the classical era, illustrating the lasting impact of Baroque dance styles.
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Period: 1600 BCE to 1750 BCE
Ballet de cour gained prominence. A pivotal event was the 1581 Ballet Comique de la Reine in France, a pioneering ballet integrating music, dance, and lavish costumes. This marked a significant leap toward ballet becoming a major theatrical art form.
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Period: 1500 BCE to 1600 BCE
Court dances continued to evolve. One notable dance form that emerged during this transition was the pavane. It's characterized by its slow and stately movements, it's court dance that remained popular into the early Baroque era
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Period: 500 BCE to 1500 BCE
Around the 9th &10th centuries, courtly dances like the carole became popular in Europe. This was a circle dance often accompanied by singing. It was performed at courtly gatherings and festivities, reflecting the social and artistic practices of the time
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In 1661, King Louis XIV established the first professional ballet company, Ballet de l'Académie Royale de Danse, formalizing ballet as an art form
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At the end of this era, in the late 18th century, Jean-Georges Noverre's influential work "Letters on Dancing and Ballets" laid the foundation for narrative ballet.
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At the beginning, in 1832, Marie Taglioni performed in "La Sylphide," epitomizing the Romantic era's ethereal and expressive style
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Classical Era
The Classical Ballet Era is often associated with the premiere of "Giselle" in 1841, choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. This ballet, with its intricate choreography and emotional storytelling, exemplified the era's emphasis on technical precision and artistic expression. -
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At the end, in the mid-19th century, the premiere of Marius Petipa's "La Bayadère" in 1877 marked a culmination of Romantic ballet, showcasing intricate choreography and dramatic storytelling.
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Birth of Musical Theater
The birth of musical theater is often associated with the 1866 production of "The Black Crook" in New York, recognized as one of the earliest works to combine drama, dance, and music, influencing the development of the musical theater genre. -
End of Classical Era
Towards the end of the Classical Ballet Era, in 1895, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov collaborated on "Swan Lake," another iconic ballet that showcased the continuation of classical ballet traditions, although it also hinted at the evolving trends that would characterize the next era. -
Beginning of Neoclassical era
The Neoclassical Ballet Era is often considered to begin in the early 20th century. A significant event at the start of this era is Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, which premiered "Les Sylphides" in 1909. This production, with choreography by Michel Fokine and music by Chopin, marked a departure from narrative ballets toward abstract and expressive forms, reflecting the changing artistic landscape. -
Early Modern Dance
Isadora Duncan, a pioneer of the Early Modern Dance Era, introduced a radical departure from traditional ballet in the early 20th century. Embracing the principles of natural movement, Duncan's performances were characterized by flowing and expressive gestures, emphasizing a deep connection between the body and emotions. Her artistic philosophy laid the foundation for the exploration of individual expression in modern dance. -
Beginnings of Tap Dance (Mid-19th Century)
Tap dance emerged in the mid-19th century as a fusion of African and Irish dance traditions. In the minstrel shows of the time, dancers would use metal-tipped shoes to create rhythmic beats, laying the groundwork for the distinct art form that would evolve into tap dance. -
Jazz Dance in the Early 20th Century (1920s)
Jazz dance found its roots in African American vernacular dance and evolved alongside the jazz music genre. In the 1920s, the vibrant, improvisational movements of jazz dance became popular in dance clubs and on Broadway, reflecting the energetic and syncopated rhythms of jazz music. -
Beginning of Tap
The early 20th century witnessed the rise of tap dance as a distinct form, and a notable event at the beginning of this era was the 1921 Broadway debut of "Shuffle Along," a musical that prominently featured syncopated tap routines, contributing to the popularization of tap dance in mainstream entertainment. -
Early Modern Dance end
In the 1930s, Martha Graham emerged as a transformative figure. Founding the Martha Graham Dance Company, Graham premiered "Lamentation" in 1930, a seminal work that exemplified her innovative use of angular movements and emotional intensity. Graham's choreographic language, focusing on the inner landscape of emotions, solidified the identity and influence of modern dance. -
Classic Modern
The mid-20th century marked the onset of the Classic Modern Era. In 1953, Merce Cunningham founded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, bringing forth a new era with his avant-garde approach to choreography. Collaborating closely with composer John Cage, Cunningham embraced chance operations, rejecting traditional narrative and musical structures in favor of abstract and experimental dance forms. -
End of Neoclassical era
The Neoclassical era extended into the mid-20th century. One significant event towards the end of this era is George Balanchine's choreography for "Agon," premiered in 1957. This ballet exemplified the abstract and experimental nature of Neoclassical ballet, serving as a bridge to the subsequent developments in contemporary dance. -
Transitional Modern begining
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, an event that marked the beginning of the Transitional Modern Era was the formation of the Judson Dance Theater in New York. This collective of avant-garde choreographers, including Trisha Brown and Yvonne Rainer, challenged traditional notions of dance, paving the way for a more experimental and interdisciplinary approach. -
Golden Age of Musical Theatre (1940s-1960s)
The mid-20th century is often regarded as the Golden Age of Musical Theatre. Musicals like "Oklahoma!" (1943) and "West Side Story" (1957) showcased the integration of song and dance, contributing to the establishment of musical theatre as a distinct American art form. -
Classic Modern end
Advancing into the 1970s, Twyla Tharp played a crucial role in expanding the horizons of modern dance. Her groundbreaking work, "Deuce Coupe" (1973), exemplified a fusion of modern dance with elements of popular culture and music, showcasing a dynamic and interdisciplinary approach. Tharp's innovation highlighted the evolving nature of modern dance in the Classic Modern Era. -
Post Modern begining
The Postmodern Era in dance is often associated with the 1960s and 1970s. An event at the beginning of this era is the performance of Yvonne Rainer's "Trio A" (1966), a seminal work that exemplifies postmodern principles with its focus on pedestrian movements, repetition, and the deconstruction of traditional dance vocabulary. -
Rise of Hip-Hop Dance (1970s)
The Bronx in the 1970s saw the birth of hip-hop culture, including the emergence of hip-hop dance. Influenced by diverse styles like breaking, locking, and popping, hip-hop dance became a powerful form of expression for urban youth. The first documented hip-hop dance crew, The Rock Steady Crew, was formed in 1977. -
Towards the end of Musical Theater (and ongoing)
Towards the later part of the 20th century, the groundbreaking success of "A Chorus Line" in 1975, directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, revolutionized musical theater, introducing a more immersive and emotionally driven approach to storytelling through dance. -
Transitional Modern end
Towards the late 1970s and early 1980s, the development of dance improvisation and collaborative works in the post-modern vein became prominent. An example is the "Grand Union," a collective formed by former members of Judson Dance Theater, including Steve Paxton and Yvonne Rainer, representing a continuation of the experimentation characteristic of the Transitional Modern Era. -
Post Modern End
In the late 20th century and into the 21st century, postmodern dance continued to evolve. An event towards the end of the Postmodern Era is the formation of the Trisha Brown Dance Company in 1970, and Brown's continued exploration of interdisciplinary collaborations and site-specific works, highlighting the era's emphasis on breaking boundaries between dance and other art forms. -
Commercialization and Globalization of Hip-Hop Dance (1980s-Present)
The 1980s marked the commercialization of hip-hop dance, with music videos and films showcasing its dynamic moves. This period also witnessed the globalization of hip-hop culture, spreading its influence worldwide. Today, hip-hop dance continues to evolve, influencing mainstream dance styles and cultural expression globally. -
End of tap and ongoing
In the later decades of the 20th century, the 1989 Broadway production of "Black and Blue," directed by Claudio Segovia and Héctor Orezzoli, celebrated the art of tap dance, showcasing a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles, marking the continued evolution and relevance of tap in the modern era.