modern ballet
Definition
Noun: A style of ballet that admits a wider variety of movements than classical ballet, often incorporating modern dance techniques, less rigid body positions, and more expressive or abstract themes.
Usage
"Modern ballet" is used as a compound noun to refer specifically to this genre or style of dance. It describes performances, companies, or choreography that belong to this tradition. * The choreographer is renowned for her work in modern ballet. * This company's repertoire includes both classical and modern ballet pieces.
Examples
- The performance was a stunning example of modern ballet, blending fluid movements with powerful emotion.
- She prefers modern ballet because it allows for greater artistic freedom than the strict forms of the classical style.
- Several modern ballet works were featured at the festival.
Advanced Usage
- The term can function attributively to modify other nouns (e.g., ).
- It is often contrasted with "classical ballet" or "neoclassical ballet" in discussions of dance history and criticism.
Variants and Related Words
- Contemporary Ballet: A very closely related term, sometimes used interchangeably with "modern ballet," though it often implies work created in the present day or very recent past, potentially incorporating even more diverse influences.
- Neoclassical Ballet: A style that emerged in the 20th century, stripping classical ballet of its elaborate narratives and sets while retaining its technical vocabulary; it is a distinct but related genre to modern ballet.
- Modern Dance: A separate but highly influential dance tradition that developed in parallel to and significantly influenced modern ballet. Modern dance deliberately broke from classical ballet traditions.
Synonyms
- Contemporary ballet (in many contexts)
Antonyms
- Classical ballet
Noun
-
a style of ballet that admits a wider variety of movements
