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The Language of Ballet: French and Fit for a King

Clip: 5/15/2015 | 2m 41s

The language of the ballet is in French; it all began in France with King Louis XIV.

The language of the ballet is in French; it all began in France with King Louis XIV in the 17th century. Wherever ballet is studied, the names of the steps are in French: tendu, grande battement, pirouette, tour en l’air, etc. Discover how ballet began and how it represented class and social position in aristocratic courts.

05/15/2015 | Rating NR

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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