Ballet and choreography are considered one of the most elegant and captivating forms of art with their splendor. Classical dance technique is admired by millions of people around the world. The English writer John Dryden called the ballet "poetry of the feet." Russian poet and satirist Emil Krotky called the ballet "opera for the deaf." And the American choreographer Martha Graham noted that "the body never lies."
However, few people know what elements ballet consists of and on the basis of what movements the dance is built. In the classical, there are a huge number of elements: pa, divertissement, arabesque, corps de ballet, fairme, fouette, aplomb and many others. Batman is one of the most important choreographic movements. Let's see what it is.
What is a batman?
Batman is a movement based on the raising, abduction or bending of the working leg. Derived from the French word Battements - âbeatingâ. Performing a batman, the dancer stands on a supporting leg on half-fingers, toes, or on the entire foot. It must be remembered that a batman is the basis of the classical dance technique.
There are a large number of batman types that require special execution techniques. Let's consider some of them.
Battement Tendu
The literal translation of the name of the element is "tense, strained."
The view of the batman, based on the abduction of the working leg forward, backward or to the side. First, the foot is on the floor, then stretched to the main position. The lead angle should be 30 degrees. When the leg is moved forward or backward, an angle of 90 degrees is formed between the torso and leg. When leading to the side, the leg should be in line with the shoulder. At the time of execution, the legs are stretched and tensioned as much as possible. Often performed at the ballet machine as a warm-up and training exercise. This batman is one of the first exercises taught by ballet dancers.
Battement tendu jeté
In Russian it is pronounced as âBatman Jetâ (from French Jeter - âthrow, throwâ).
An element very similar in execution technique to Battement Tendu. The only difference is the addition of a leg elevation of 45 degrees. However, training in this movement begins with raising the leg by 25 degrees. With a sweep, the foot breaks off the floor and lingers in that position. Battement Tendu Jeté is also an excellent training element and is performed at the ballet machine. Develops accuracy, grace of legs and muscle corset. Battement Tendu and Battement Tendu Jeté are from the first or fifth position.
Grand Battement Jeté
It is performed with a high swing of the foot. In this case, the leg elevation angle is 90 degrees or more, however, when training, it is not recommended to raise the leg above 90 degrees. The torso of the dancer deviates backward when raising the legs forward or forward while swinging the leg backward. When raising the legs to the side, a minimal deviation of the body is allowed, but a uniform line of the leg and shoulder must also be observed. Performing the Grand Battement Jeté, you can not bring the foot to its original position and perform a wave 3-4 times in a row. The starting point for this exercise is the third position. Grand Battement Jeté develops well muscle corset, as well as accuracy and endurance.
Battement relevé lent
The name comes from the French words: relever - âliftâ, lent - âleisurelyâ.
The view of the batman, carried out by slowly lifting the legs to a height of 90 degrees and holding it in this position. The element is quite complex to execute, as it requires good training in the muscles of the legs and body.
Battement frappé
The name comes from the French frapper - "beat, hit."
It is performed due to sharp bending of the working leg at an angle of 45 degrees and its impact on the supporting leg. Along with Battement Tendu, is the main type of batman. When performing the Battement frappé, the accuracy and clarity required by ballet dancers are developed.
Battement Fondu ("Batman Fondue")
The element is called the French word fondre - "melt, melt."
Quite a complex view of the batman. Most often performed from the fifth position. The supporting leg is bent to the demi plie position, and the working leg moves to the le cou-de-pied position (leg lift). Then a gradual straightening of both legs is carried out, while the working leg is retracted or raised forward, backward or to the side. The exercise is performed at the ballet machine. It develops leg muscles, plasticity and softness of movements.
Battement soutenu ("Batman hundred")
The verb soutenir is translated from French as âsupportâ.
A more complex form of batman, which is based on the Battement Fondu. To do this, you first need to rise on your fingers or half-fingers. And then put the working foot in le cou-de-pied position and take the working foot forward, backward or to the side. It is also possible to raise it by 25, 45 or 90 degrees; bending of the supporting leg at the knee and deviation of the body. The hand performs the movement nuance ("a small nuance, shade"). After nuance, the hand moves to the first and second position. Arm movement is performed simultaneously with leg movements. Thus, the hand moves to the first position when setting the sur le cou-de-pied working leg and opens to the second position when the leg is retracted or swung.
In this article, we got acquainted with the main types of the most important element in classical dance. It became clear that the batman is an element that requires accuracy, accuracy and maximum concentration of the dancer to perform it.