I attended a small performance showcasing the National Ballet of Canada‘s performers doing a class on stage. It was taught by Artist-in-Residence Rex Harrington with a commentary by Senior Ballet Master Peter Ottmann. This wasn’t the first time I attended a performance like this. A class on stage was performed during Luminato‘s first year a few years ago. I enjoyed the class the first time around and since my mum wasn’t able to come with me then, she came with me to this show.
Class on Stage
Photo by Bruce Zinger
During the class, we were given a brief history of ballet, the reasons behind the warm up, and it’s progression into the other aspects of the class. Some of the history we were given during the show included ballet’s development in the 15th and 16th centuries in the French courts. Louis XIV further developed the ballet and promoted it as the form of entertainment we know today. The French vocabulary used in ballet today is a reflection of its roots in French history.
The tickets had little facts on them as well. For example, the National Ballet’s dancers use 2,000 pairs of pointe shoes every year and each pair costs $80. Also, each tutu takes a minimum of 120 hours and $2,000 to create.
It was nice to watch the performers come on stage and stretch before the class started. The class was interesting to see to. Next on my list I things to see is to watch an actual ballet. I think it’ll put the class into perspective.
Class on Stage
Photo by Bruce Zinger
