enrico cecchetti

Cecchetti

Several syllabi exist for the training of dancers: Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD), Imperial Ballet (ISTD), British Ballet Organisation (BBO) etc. The Weston teaches the Cecchetti Method, a method of training developed by Enrico Cecchetti in the late 19th Century. Born in Italy in 1850, the son of two dancers, Cecchetti migrated to St. Petersburg where he joined the Imperial Russian Ballet and created the virtuoso role of the Bluebird and the mime role of Carabosse in the première of The Sleeping Beauty in 1890. He also taught many Maryinsky dancers including Pavlova, Karsarvina and Nijinsky.

In 1909 he joined Diaghilev's ’Ballet Russe’ as a teacher and mime artist. He was recognised as the greatest teacher of his day and his pupils included Alicia Markova, Ninette de Valois, Marie Rambert and Léonide Massine. Cecchetti had trained under Lepri, a pupil of Blasis, whose ideas were developed further by Cecchetti who grouped the classical vocabulary into six sets of exercises, one for each day of the working week.

Cecchetti's work was recorded and published in 1922 by Cyril Beaumont who was instrumental in founding the Cecchetti Society for the preservation and promotion of the Maestro's work. In 1924 the Cecchetti Society became affiliated to the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

The continuing importance and value of this Method is summed up by one of today’s most well-known former ballerinas, Dame Darcey Bussell of the Royal Ballet, who has said " The Cecchetti work has given me strength, discipline and co-ordination. It wasn't until I got into the Company that I realised how lucky I was to have had that training".

The Cecchetti Society's syllabi of graded examinations for both children and vocational students are based on the principles of Cecchetti's teaching. This work will ensure that students will receive a sound training.

Cecchetti in Wikipedia

Cecchetti in Encyclopaedia Britannica

Cecchetti at the ISTD