Calliope Posted January 22, 2002 Share Posted January 22, 2002 I was reading the link about Christopher Stowell in his role as a "choreologist" for Diablo Ballet. It's a new word for me, but it's someone who stages ballets based on written notation. Can someone tell me. Is it the choreographers notations, a dancer's? Is the staging only done by the written notation or is video used? Link to comment
dirac Posted January 22, 2002 Share Posted January 22, 2002 There are people who notate for a living (see the Benesh Institute website, www.benesh.org). Ideally, however, you don't want to do a staging based only on notation, or even notation and video together! It's fine if you have them, but there's no substitute for a ballet master/mistress who really understands and knows the ballet from the inside out. There are others more expert than I who can contribute more on this topic, I'm sure. Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 Of course, the really deluxe accommodation is the ballet master/mistress who has, &c.&c., and can work from notation and has video. Link to comment
Calliope Posted January 23, 2002 Author Share Posted January 23, 2002 Is there a difference between a ballet master/mistress and a choreologist? Link to comment
Victoria Leigh Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 Most ballet masters are not choreologists, although some could be if they have studied some form of notation. Choreologists are not ballet masters, they are specialists in notating choreography. They can stage the works from the notation. Ballet masters usually stage it from a combination of video and their own experience in dancing it. Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 Right, and the notation is just a nice supplement to have together with all that experience. One of my favorite memories of working with a Benesh choreologist was the one who wondered aloud, "Who wrote this mess? Oh, I did - never mind!" Link to comment
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