World of Art: Ballet and Modern Dance

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More people than ever enjoy dance, whether as performers or spectators, with its vast range encompassing classical ballet, baroque court spectacles, avant-garde modern dance, tap, and ethnic styles. Those interested in dance often seek a guide to its rich history and complex present. The text offers a comprehensive overview, vividly detailing significant performers and performances from the past while exploring the contemporary dance landscape. A generous selection of illustrations enhances the narrative, transporting readers from the Medici palaces to Manhattan lofts, and from Louis XIV's dancing to the experimental choreography of Twyla Tharp and Pina Bausch. A new final chapter highlights the work of key dancers and choreographers from the 1980s to today, discussing modern dance offshoots like Tanztheater and Butoh, as well as recent trends in performance art and site-specific choreography. The author also addresses the resurgence of past dance forms, including ballroom dancing and Argentine tango, the revival of tap dancing, and the theatrical adaptation of Irish stepdancing. Additionally, she notes how dance has embraced technological advancements such as cinedance, videodance, CD-ROMs, and the Internet. The work includes 145 illustrations and photographs, with 25 in color.