A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

cabriole

[ka-bree-AWL]

Caper. An allegro step in which the extended legs are beaten in the air. Cabrioles are divided into two categories: petite, which are executed at 45 degrees, and grande, which are executed at 90 degrees. The working leg is thrust into the air, the underneath leg follows and beats against the first leg, sending it higher. The landing is then made on the underneath leg. Cabriole may be done devant, derrière and à la seconde in any given position of the body such as croisé, effacé, écarté, etc.

 

cambré

[kahn-BRAY-]

Arched. The body is bent from the waist backward or sideways. The head following the movement of the body.When bending back, the movement is initiated from the head, then shoulders and shoulder-blades and only after waist. The whole upper body is engage in the bent.

 

Enrico Cecchetti

[en-REE-koh cheh-KET-tee]

This Italian dancer and ballet master (1850 - 1928) was born in Rome, son of Cesare Cecchetti and Serafina Casagli. He studied with Giovanni Lepri, who was a pupil of the great Carlo Blasis, and made his debut at La Scala, Milan, in 1870. He toured Europe as a premier danseur and made his debut at the Maryinski Theater, St.Petersburg, in 1887. He accepted the position of second master at the Maryinski Theater in 1890 and two years later became instructor at the Imperial School. His pupil included Pavlova, Nijinsky, Karsavina, Fokine, Preobrajenska, Kchessinska and Egorova. In 1902 he left for Warsaw, where he became director of the Imperial Schoo, and in 1905 returned to Italy.

Returning to Russia, he opened a private school and later became the private tutor of Anna Pavlova, touring the world with her. From 1909 tp 1918 he was the official instructor to the Diaghilev Ballet Company. From 1918 until 1923 he had a private school in London. He then returned to Italy and became ballet master at La Scala in 1925. He devoured the rest of his life to teaching and perfecting his teaching methods.

 

chaînés

[sheh-NAY]

Chains, links. A series of rapid turns on the points or demi-pointes done in a straight line or in a circle.

 

changement de pieds

[shahnzh-MAHN duh pyay]

Change of feet. The term is usually abbreviated to changement. Changements are springing steps in the fifth position, the dancer changing feet in the air and alighting in the fifth position with the opposite foot in the front. They are done petit and grand.

 

chassé

[sha-SAY]

Chased. A step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position; done in a series.

 

chassé (cecchetti method)

[sha-SAY]

In the Cecchetti method a chassé is a glide into an open position and is finished in demi-plié. This movement can be executed in all directions.

For chassé forward from fifth position demi-plié on both feet and, keeping the weight equally distributed, slide the front foot to the forth, then straight the knees with the back leg pointed tendu.

 

cloche, en

[ahn klawsh]

Like a bell. Refers to grands battements executed continuously devant and derrire through the first position.