The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-20
DaAAJeay

to dance, and later has incorporated the
meaning of ballet, ball and ballad. 1t
goes back in its history to a time con-
temporaneous with the heyday and youth
of those who danced in the ballet of
"Nero" this season.
1t is presumed, of course, that a ballet
is pantomimic rendition of story, ac-
cording to historical writers, and that is
why it seems so odd to me that this style
of anecdote should be about the same in
Nero" that it is in aladdin" or some
of the French operas.
1t is hard sometimes for one unaccus-
toned to those things to readily distin-
guish between a ballet ddctio1 and a
advertisement. will try to make that
clear, SO that no one need ever bother
about it any more. A ballet ddction is
one in which one is able to readily fol-
low the anecdote by paying attention to
the dancing, whereas a advertisement is
simply sort of festival where every
body is apparently feeling first rate, and
all sorts Of clipper little figures are
danced, from plain jig to leapfrog and
Prisoners Base.
The ballet Fdction was introduced
into civilized life about the sixteenth
century, and was used for the celebra-
tion of great events, such as eminent
victories and the marriage of princes.
Tights had not then been introduced, as
the climate was mild and very little in
convenience from cold felt on the part
of the dancers. We are told by the his
torians that 1.-The cooler the air the high
er kicked the premiere" The first ballet
to obtain much recognition occurred in
the sixteenth century, at the time of the
marriage of the Due de Joyeuse with
Mile. de Vandemont, the sister of the
queen. This was an Italian ballet called
Ballet ConaG9ae de la RoyIle, because the
queen took part in it. One lady of the
court sang a song, two others sang a
duet, and others sang in the chorus.
Whether the king turned back somer-
sault or not the history does not go on
to state.
The ballet would draw better now if
more prominent people could take part
In the exercises. wonder that it has
not been done. If members of the cabi-
net could take part in the ballet, and
ladies of the foreign legation attend to
the advertisement, many would attend
who now show little interest in it.
Much cruel criticism and the sharp
arrows of malice and uncharitableness
have been leveled at a class of middle
aged and even elderly men who are I'M
fortunately bald, because they are more
or less prompt and early, sitting near
the orchestra at all times on the presen-
tation of new ballet. This is mani
festly unjust to class of men who have
been heretofore too timid to cry out
against this wicked attack.
The ballet is essentially pantomimic
history, and to the close and bald headed
student it is as chsste and eloquent as
the music of Wagner is to those who
fully understand it. The elderly ballet
hdbitue sits and drinks in this eloquent
pantomime, this dumb story as reeled
off by blithe and nimble legs before his
alert opera glass, just as the sdmirer of
Wagner, whose auditory nerve has be-
come so benumbed that he can stand it
and understand it, sits with a pleased
and ante-expression on his face through
a whole evening, wholly forgetting that
thirsty people are ever and anon walk
ing across him with bated breath, seek
ing TO escape.
To the student the ballet is an open
book with colored illustrations He
knows the soft PUNK Of the E string
and the gurgle of the piccolo. and ever
he sees the changing pantomime as the
Wagner man reads in the rich deep notes /
the tale that the author is trying 10 tell. |
cannot interpret Wagner vet, though |
l hope 70 some day, but can read the |
whole pathetic story of Nero in the bal /
let. Now / gather from the faction /
that Nero is arising from his couch to /
greet the iocund moon Now he steps to /
the window to open the shade. It e.
capes from his clutches and SCOTS TO the /
TOD OF the house with loud snort. Nero /
Jumps on the window sill to reach il. /
curslng softly 70 the low wall Of the /
,laronet and forgetting that ne cannot
reach the shade, also that he has not yet
ionned his toga
Stlu purple with rage the young en-
peror hangs up comforter at the win
low, and taking a hurried bath begins
70 dress for the day by wrapping him.
elf IN the folds of purple Turkish
owsl or GINNING workmanship 70 tho