Arabesque (ballet position)

Arabesque (ballet position)

(aa rah besk) Literally, "in Arabic fashion". In classical ballet, the term "arabesque" indicates a position of the body where the dancer stands on one leg, while the other leg is extended behind the body, with both knees straight. The "arabesque" position can be performed with the supporting leg and foot either "en pointe", "demi pointe" or on a flat foot. The back leg may either touch the floor in "tendu" back (called "arabesque par terre"), or be raised at an angle. Common angles are 45° (also called "à demi hauteur"), and 90° ("à la hauteur"). When the angle is much greater than 90° and the body leans forward to counterbalance the back leg, the pose is called "arabesque penchée". There are also various arm and leg combinations, such as forward on the same side as the back leg or the other arm forward. These combinations vary according to the syllabus or method used.

Vaganova's four arabesque positions

In the Vaganova method there are four basic "arabesque" positions. They are here described for a dancer facing Vaganova's fixed point 8 of the stage (that is, a dancer facing the front left corner of the stage). In class practice, the arms are always level with the shoulders ("arabesque de classe"), while in performance the arm in front may be raised above shoulder level ("arabesque de scene"). The elbows are always facing downwards.
In the first "arabesque", the dancer stands in "effacé" position (for point 8, facing the front left corner, with the left foot in front) with the right leg raised in "arabesque", the right arm extended to the side (to the audience) and the left arm extended front (towards the corner). The gaze follows the line of the arm extended "en avant".
In the second "arabesque" the legs are like in the first "arabesque", but the right arm is extended "en avant" while the left arm is extended a little behind the dancer's shoulder; the shoulders are in "épaulement" in line with the arms and the gaze is turned to the audience.
In the third "arabesque" the dancer stands in "croisé" position (for point 8, facing the front left corner, the right foot is in front) with the left leg raised in "arabesque", the right arm extended to the side and a little behind the shoulder, and the left arm extended front. The gaze follows the line of the arm extended "en avant".
In the fourth "arabesque" position the dancer stands in "croisé" as for the third "arabesque", but the right arm is extended front and the left arm is extended as far back as possible in line with the right arm. The shoulders are in strong "épaulement" and the gaze is turned to the audience.

References

*cite book
first = A
last = Vaganova
year =
title = Basic principles of classical ballet
publisher = Dover Publications, Inc
id = ISBN 0-486-22036-2
*cite book
first = G
last = Grant
year = 1982
title = Technical manual and dictionary of classical ballet
publisher = Dover Publications
id = ISBN 0-486-21843-0


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