Question 1: Who wrote ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet?
- Tchaikovsky
- Bach
- Vivaldi
Correct Answer: Tchaikovsky
Fact: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. Celebrated for his emotive compositions, he wrote some of the most popular classical ballets, including ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Swan Lake.’ The story of ‘The Nutcracker’ takes place on Christmas Eve, when a young girl, Clara, goes on an adventure with the Nutcracker Prince.
Question 2: In which ballet position do dancers stand on one leg and extend the other behind their body?
- Pirouette
- En pointe
- Arabesque
Correct Answer: Arabesque
Fact: The arabesque is one of the most well-known ballet positions. In the 1877 ballet ‘La Bayadère,’ choreographed by Marius Petipa, the ‘The Kingdom of the Shades’ scene is a beautiful display of this movement. It begins with an entrance by the corps de ballet: 28 female dancers, all dressed in white, gracefully performing a simple arabesque. One by one, they appear, creating a mesmerizing procession that showcases the precision and grace of classical ballet.
Question 3: Which is the oldest ballet company in the US?
- New York City Ballet
- Miami City Ballet
- San Francisco Ballet
Correct Answer: San Francisco Ballet
Fact: San Francisco Ballet was founded in 1933 under Adolph Bolm, a legendary ballet dancer and choreographer. Initially a part of the San Francisco Opera, it became an independent entity in 1942. The company staged the United States’ first full-length production of not only ‘The Nutcracker’ but also of Léo Delibes’ ‘Coppélia.’ It is currently headquartered at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco.