Ballet dates back to the royal courts of 17th-century Europe. Styles of choreography have changed radically over the years, through the Romantic, Classical and 20th-century ballet periods. The V&A holds a large collection of ballet-related items in its Theatre & Performance collections including set designs, costumes, production photographs and orchestral scores.
The Origins of Ballet
Ballet and opera began in the 17th century, with the elaborate spectacles devised at European courts. These were flamboyant entertainments used to celebrate marriages or sh…
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Romantic Ballet
In the early 19th century the Age of Reason gave way to the age of the imagination and the Romantic Movement. Young artists, writers, poets and dancers wanted the freedom t…
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Classical Ballet
Classical ballet developed in the late 19th century. It is a mixture of the French style of Romantic ballet, the techniques developed in Italy in the late 19th century, and…
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The 20th-Century Ballet Revolution
20th century ballet was born in St Petersburg, from a group of artists who were disenchanted with the arts scene in Russia. They included the painters Léon Bakst and Alexan…
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The Establishment of British Ballet
Ballet in Britain was established by two former Diaghilev dancers, Marie Rambert and Ninette de Valois. They ensured that ballet was a viable career for British dancers and…
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Anna Pavlova
Anna Pavlova (1881 - 1931) was one of the most famous ballerinas of all time. Dance was her vocation and no other dancer in the days before air travel toured so widely
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Vaslav Nijinsky
Vaslav Nijinsky (1889 – 1950) was born in Kiev and trained at the Imperial Ballet School. He caused a sensation from his first public performance at the Maryinsky Theatre i…
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Ballet Costume Design
Dance costume is a highly specialised field and as well as having to reflect the overall concept of the work, body movement, the demands of the choreography of a particular…
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Interactive: Patty Costume by Wilhelm for 'The Pretty Prentice', 1916
This costume for the character of Patty was designed for a production of 'The Pretty Prentice' ballet by Adeline Genée & D G MacLennan, performed at the London Coliseum, 19…
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Interactive: Flower Girl Costume by Sophie Fedorovitch for 'Nocturne, 1944
Designer Sophie Fedorovitch was a mistress of understatement. Her costumes contained sufficient information to indicate character, period and style without being either ove…
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Interactive: The Wife Costume by Nicholas Georgiadis for 'The Invitation', 1960
Kenneth MacMillan's ballet 'The Invitation' is set in a pre-1914 unspecified country with a sultry, humid, climate. The costumes had to bend historical accuracy to allow fo…
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Interactive: Huntswoman Costume by Lila de Nobili for 'Sleeping Beauty', 1968
This costume was designed Lila de Nobili for The Royal Ballet in 1968, an unenviable task following Oliver Messel's iconic 1946 production.
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Monica Mason
Monica Mason is the Director of the Royal Ballet. She joined the Royal Ballet at 16 and became a principle dancer in 1968. She created many major roles, including the Chose…
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Interview with Lez Brotherston, Costume Designer
Lez Brotherston is one of the UK’s most dynamic and innovative designers, working extensively in dance, theatre, opera, musicals and film. Best-known for his work with Matt…
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Lez Brotherston's Costume Design ‘Bible’ for The Brontës
View high-resolution, zoomable facsimile of Lez Brotherston's costume design 'bible' containing every costume worn in The Brontës, with a character synopsis, reference phot…
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Wilhelm
Born William Charles Pitcher in England, 1858, Wilhelm was one of the most prolific stage designers of his day. He worked on nearly 200 productions including pantomimes, mu…
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Orchestral Score for 'Nadia' by Georges Jacobi
View high-resolution, zoomable facsimile of the composer Georges Jacobi's orchestral score for his ballet Nadia used when conducting the large house orchestra at the Alhamb…
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Dance in Popular Theatre
A brief history of dance in popular theatre from the 17th century, through music hall, the development of ballet, skirt dancing and the Tiller Girls.
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A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes
Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929) was an extraordinarily gifted impresario, curator, director and animator of the arts. He was perfectly at home in the wave…
Buy nowEvent - Kevin O'Hare: Director of the Royal Ballet (Non-Members)
Fri 03 May 2013 18:30
EVENING TALK: Kevin O'Hare was appointed Director of The Royal Ballet in July 2012. He trained at The Royal Ballet School, danced for Sadler Wells Royal Ballet in 1984 and became a Principal dancer of Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1990. Kevin will join us to discuss his career and future vision for The Royal Ballet.
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