The "Fathers" of the Russian Ballet

I decided to split up my regular choreographers of the Russian Ballet and the so called "fathers" of the Russian Ballet. Both of these men impacted, changed, and greatly influenced the way the ballet was seen around the world and performed not only in Russia, but also in the Western world as well. They would push ballet into a more sophisticated art form with a new era and also push Russia forward in becoming a leading force behind ballet in general. The first man, Ivan Ivanovich Valberkh was the first Russian choreographer and the second man is Charles Didelot, who is most famously known as the "father of Russian Ballet."

Ivan Ivanovich Valberkh- Ivan was a Russian born dancer who then went on to become the first ever Russian Ballet choreographer. He aided in Russia's efforts to become the leading force behind ballet as an art form. He was also known to have incorporated adapted classical steps from France and add them to modern themes and movements which would alter the ballet world forever. He was the first choreographer in Russia to attempt to create a whole ballet with a contemporary theme which is now what we see a lot in the dance world today.

Ivan Ivanovich Valberkh

 Charles Didelot- Didelot was a French native. He is most famously known as the ultimate "father of the Russian Ballet." Charles Didelot combined all of the elements previously used in the Russian Ballet and moved the Russian Ballet into its Romantic period after he arrived in St. Petersburg in 1801.

Charles Didelot

Sources:

Google Images- Ivan Valberkh and Charles Didelot

Webb, Shawncey. "Foundation of St. Petersburg’s Imperial Ballet School." Great Events from History: The Eighteenth Century. Ed. John Powell. Hackensack: Salem, 2006. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 07 May. 2015. <http://online.salempress.com>.