Dance 101 Flach Lecture 3 Outline of Last Lecture I. Medieval Period – Middle AgesII. Renaissance Period Outline of Current Lecture II.Important people in the 17th-19th centuryIII. Notes about the in-class filmIV. Ballet historyV. Christian church view on DanceCurrent LectureJean Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) wasn’t a dancer; he was a musician. Director of the 1st school of dance that trained the nobles (Royal Academy of art and dance)Pier Boshonk- created 5 positions of ballet. Composer of the Royal Academy of music and dance.At this time, the presidium stage was developed. The presidium stage seperates the audience from the performer. Up until then, the dancers were the entertainers and the ones being entertained- there were no stages that also worked to professionalized ballet. Stage increase proficiency and technical abilityNobles could no longer do their jobs because of too much dance.Dancer and Composer, Director of the Royal Academy of Music and DanceRoyal Academy of Music and Dance (1672) these dancers developed into the dancers in the Paris OperaJohn Georges Noverre (1727-1810) wrote the first book on ballet, was a dance teacher and choreographer who worked at the royal academy and came after Boshonk and wrote the 1st textbook ‘letters on dancing and ballet’. Began the ballet of action which made dancers more efficient and move more and dancing became more involved, athletic, and aerobic (ballet d’acion). Action of the ballet pushes things forward, bigger, more involved and more suitable on the stage. He developed a system of pantomime; Symbols of dance have meaning. Ex; rocking a baby, pointing to the ring finger, finger down face=tears. All of ballet communicated with body action and pantomime.Letters on Dancing and BalletThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Noverre brings ballet d’action to the forefront of ballet choreographyBallet d’action emphasizes plot and adds greater authenticity and expressivenessPantomime featured in balletsRussians wanted France to bring ballet to Russia. Russia was then a strong nation in dance for many years. Then Russia was raided and a man from the US offered asked to bring ballet to America.Journey of ballet: Italy to France to Russia to AmericaParis Opera (Paris Opera Ballet) recreates dances of old times and holds the history of court dancesDance in non-Western and non-European Courts – Differences and SimilaritiesStill strong ties to the privileged and the ruling classCourt of the Emperor of JapanCourt of the Sultan of JavaCourt of the King of the Ashanti – GhanaThe past comes to life in the time capsule of court ritualThe history of a nation often tied to its dance history – social and cultural connections revealed in the dance Film notes-Church is uneasy about role of dance in life- dance was viewed as suspicious. Christianity has been in conflict- some called dance ‘the devils work’. European exploration expanded dance throughout the world. In India, the gods dance. The lord of creation and lord of dance often dance to begin their day, in the Hindu temples. Dance is a devotion and art, which expresses your feeling for their gods. Every ritual is a request for whatever you want by dancing. Gods will respond positively to such requests if asked through dance or song. Christian churches in Europe- - Singing is approaching to heavens. Called ‘the literacy of the heavens’. - Dance on the other hand is pulling the body away from the heavens. - ‘Dance of innocence’ is the only dance allowed in the church, commending God.- Western culture and ancient Greeks also were suspicious of dance. ‘Body isn’t as important as the soul’. The body is part of the material world but they wanted to rise above that world.- Sexuality is the purpose of dance and churches thought it was inappropriate and encouraging sex.- Folk traditions were celebrations accepted by the church- Many people danced outside the church- Angles danced to glorify god, and sophisticated forms began. - Dance eventually becomes a symbol of life.- As Christianity spread, many different culture interpreted dance differently and used different forms of dance- clapping, jumping, stomping exc.- Thought ‘the body is there to serve the spirit’- Strength of religion relies between the relationship between the people and their GodIn African culture, when a dancer puts on a mask it is to identify an ancestor. Monkey skull necklace is to resemble life and death.Ballet-- Feet are not flat on ground; the goal is to reach the heavens and to free us from our heavy bodies.- God is ‘white light’- Dancers are an ‘ethereal being’ and purpose was to rise into the heavensThings needed to know:-Film was a connection of the ancient, medieval and other ages into ballet-In many cultures, dance is a good thing- not banned or evil because the body is serving the spirit-Dance is an honor of the gods-Folk dance was danced by the commoners as the nobles did courtly-Ethnic and regional stabilities- folk dance was a way to hold history and to honor a tradition-Dance is a symbol of life course and the art of dance is the human body- can add other kinds of art- ex. Costumes, masks,