Русский балет
Russian Ballet
Russia's most famous cultural export: how ballet, born in France and Italy, reached perfection in Russia through Petipa and Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' and 'Nutcracker', conquered Europe with Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, and made world stars of Pavlova, Nijinsky, and Baryshnikov.
You will practice: The instrumental of means/cause (известный своей техникой), the past passive participle превращённой, благодаря + dative for 'thanks to', and the не ... а construction for contrast (не в России, а во Франции).
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- балетballet
- танецdance
- гордостьpride
- техникаtechnique
- грацияgrace, gracefulness
- совершенствоperfection
- хореографchoreographer
- композиторcomposer
- шедеврmasterpiece
- репертуарrepertoire
- узнаваемыйrecognizable
- колдунsorcerer, wizard
- лебедьswan
- мастерствоskill, mastery
- танцовщик(ballet) dancer
- звездаstar
- мечтаdream
Did you get it?
5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. Where was ballet originally born?
2. Who created 'Swan Lake' and 'The Nutcracker' together?
3. What happens to Princess Odette in 'Swan Lake'?
4. How did Russian ballet conquer Europe in the early 20th century?
5. Which two theatres are named as dream destinations for ballet fans?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Russian reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.