What You'll Learn
- The technical mechanics and landing directions for saut de basque and tour jeté.
- How to utilize a powerful grand battement to initiate height in grand allegro.
- Stylistic nuances for the Basil character, including port de bras and eyeline.
- Refinement of the passé position in the air for cleaner rotations.
- Specific cues for landing on a diagonal versus a straight side line.
About This Video
In this comprehensive 56-minute technical class at Broche Ballet, we dive deep into one of the most celebrated male variations in the classical repertoire: Basil from Act III of Don Quixote. This variation is renowned worldwide for its bravura, requiring a unique combination of explosive power, precise footwork, and charismatic stage presence. Our session focuses heavily on the mechanics of grand allegro, specifically dissecting the nuanced differences between the saut de basque and the tour jeté (technically known as a grand jeté en tournant entrelacé).
One of the most vital technical takeaways from this rehearsal is understanding the landing direction. While a saut de basque typically lands squarely to the side, the tour jeté requires a specific diagonal orientation to maintain the momentum and the aesthetic line of the choreography. Mastering these subtle shifts in weight and direction is what separates a student performance from a professional-grade variation.
We break down the preparatory movements of these jumps, emphasizing the importance of a strong, energetic grand battement to initiate height. For the saut de basque, we focus on the swift transition from the grand battement to the passé position in the air, ensuring a clean rotation and a resilient landing. For the tour jeté, we explore how to brush the leg through a grand battement front before the half-turn, landing in a stable and high arabesque.
Beyond the purely athletic jumps, this class addresses the artistry and Spanish flair required for the character of Basil. You will learn how to coordinate your port de bras and eyeline to convey the confidence and playfulness of the character. Whether you are practicing at a home barre or in a professional studio space, these technical cues will help you achieve more elevation in your jumps and more stability in your landings.
Join Broche Ballet as we refine these iconic movements, perfect your tours en l'air, and bring the fiery spirit of Don Quixote to your personal practice.
