Comparing Ballet Companies

If you are a ballet dancer in training and especially if you are already looking for companies to audition, it would help you a lot if before going all the way there, you could understand a little bit about the company and what they usually tend to look for in a dancer.

To begin with there are HUGE differences in companies depending on what continent they are located. For example, there are some commonalities that most European ballet companies do not share with American ballet companies. This is evident in company repertoire, but also in the way they work internally.

Here I've chosen 5 different companies around the world to talk about.

The Bolshoi Ballet

It was founded in 1776 in Moscow

They usually hire from the Vaganova Academy in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

In 1900, Alexander Gorsky was able to give a new look to Petipa's ballets ( The swan lake - 1901 and La Fille Mal Gardee - 1903) and he created a new unique identity to the Bolshoi Ballet, moving away from the old French way.

They set the tone for adagio and long slim lines.

Now it is breeding of superstars such as:

• Galina Ulanova
• Vladimir Vasiliev
• Natalia Osipova
• Ekaterina Maximova

The Royal Ballet 

It was founded in 1931 in Covent Garden, London - England 

The official associate school of the company is the Royal Ballet School, and it also has a sister company, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, which operates independently.

They set the tone for technical powerhouses, turn/jumps.

The Royal Ballet doesn't hold auditions.

 "My first stop is The Royal Ballet School," says O'Hare, who assesses RBS students throughout their training. "I love somebody who really moves. A natural dance quality and musicality are so important. If you've got that, you can always work on the technique."

Big names from this company:

• Roberto Bolle
• Alessandra Ferri 
• Marianela Núñez
• Thiago Soares

The New York City Ballet 

Founded in 1948 by the choreographer George Balanchine 
They usually hire from the School of American Ballet in New York, USA.
They set the tone for musicality, speed, and new works.
 It often stages 60 ballets or more in its winter and spring seasons at Lincoln Center each year, and 20 or more in its summer season in Saratoga Springs. City Ballet has trained and developed many great dancers since its formation such as:

• Allegra Kent
• Mikhail Baryshnikov
• Edward Villella
• Patricia McBride

The Paris Opera Ballet 

Founded in 1669 in Paris, France, and is considered the oldest national ballet company.

It is known as the Salle Le Peletier, where Romantic ballet was born.

Consists of 155 dancers. 

To be admitted in the Paris Opera Ballet School, to pass the annual competitive examinations in May, and to attend at least the final two classes is basically compulsory for dancers entering the Paris Opera Ballet.

95% of the admitted dancers in the Paris Opera Ballet Company are French. 

Since August 2016 the company has been under the direction of Aurélie Dupont, the grande dame of the Paris Opera Ballet.

They set the tone for turnout and the foundations of technique 

some notable artist from the company are:

• Aurélie Dupont

• Sylvie Guillem

• Lucien Petipa

• Dorothée Gilbert

Royal Danish Ballet 

It was founded in 1748 at the Royal Danish Theatre in Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Royal Danish Ballet school was founded in 1771 under the French ballet teacher Pierre Laurent, Then Vincenzo Galeotti developed it and August Bournonville founded his methodology for the school.

Bournonville method is noted for developing quick footwork, as required by Bournonville's choreography. Graceful epaulement, with the upper body, usually twisting towards the working foot, to draw attention to and emphasize the movement and great attention is paid to the shape and placement of the arms. Arms are held in front of the body in all positions, so as to be anatomically correct.

Some great names from the company are:

• Anine Frølich

• August Bournonville.

• Ida Praetoriu

• Jón Axel Fransson