First Steps in Ballet Author:Brian Shaw An enchanting guide to the demanding and beautiful world of classical dance and dancers — Ballet has its beginnings in the stately dances of Louis XIV's French court. Since then, more than 300 years ago, it has evolved into the most demanding, colorful, and entertaining of all forms of theater; but behind the dazzling performances we watch on st... more »ate and television lie hours of hard practice and years of back-breaking classes and exercises.
'First Steps in Ballet' takes the reader through all the positions and steps that are used in ballet classes around the world. Beginning with the five basic positions of the feet and ending with the spectacular fish dives of 'Sleeping Beauty,' this book covers barre exercises, center work, double work, pointe work, costumes, dance notation, and mime. It relates the stories of six favorite ballets and, all the way through, there are photographs of some of the top ballet stars in performance.
The specially-taken photographs by Jesse Davis clearly illustrate and add to the superb text.
The author is Brian Shaw of the Royal Ballet, who is a senior teacher of the company as well as being one of its leading dancers. His talent, experience, and obvious love of his art show through the pages of this delightful and instructive book.« less