Thursday, 17 November 2011

Marius Petipa - The Choreographer - Background info

Marius Petipa, the choreographer of  Giselle was born in Brussels, Belgium in 1818 (11th March) His parents were both in the performing arts, his father was also a ballet master, so their family had travelled many parts of the world with their jobs. Petipa went to ballet lessons from the age of seven at first he really didnt like it but in time it grew on him and he discovered his natural talent of dance. During the revolution of Belgium no one had much money, the economy was poor and there were many fights breaking out etc. so the Petipas decided to relocate to Bordeaux, France. Here, he finished his training in 1843 and started becoming a choreographer, in 1869 he became a Ballet Master of the Russian Imperial Ballet, like his father. He was the choreographer who had the most impact on the formation of Russian ballet in St. Petersburg.

His choreographic style was simple and clean, less narrative. Motifs were often repeated but gaining intricacy with less narration each time. Also Russian folk dance was often incorporated into his choreographies.

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