pas de deux
Partnered ballet dance
A pas de deux is a dance for two performers, especially in ballet.
The term is French for "step of two." It typically refers to an elaborate duet between a ballerina and her male partner, showcasing lifts, turns, and coordinated movement: The pas de deux in Swan Lake is breathtaking.
Figuratively, any intricate interaction between two parties—a negotiation, a flirtation—may be called a pas de deux.
Slow musical tempo
- partneringJoining with another cooperatively
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- promenadeLeisurely public stroll
- arabesqueFlowing ornamental design
pirouette · ballerina · danseur · variation · soloist · pointe · corps de ballet · principal
Raised performance platform
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- repertoireWorks ready to perform
- romantic balletNineteenth-century theatrical dance form
- GiselleClassic ballet heroine
Swan Lake · Sleeping Beauty · Nutcracker · Don Quixote · Romeo and Juliet · coda · audience · ovation
Piece for two
- pairingJoining two together
- duoTwo working together
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- interplayReciprocal action between things
chemistry · connection · intimacy · trust · counterbalance · mirroring · lead and follow · support
Refined, graceful quality
- fluidityState of flowing freely
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- artistryExceptional creative skill
- lyricismExpressive, melodic quality
beauty · refinement · suppleness · lightness · line · extension · finesse · etherealness
adagio
Slow musical tempo
- partneringJoining with another cooperatively
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- promenadeLeisurely public stroll
arabesque · pirouette · ballerina · danseur · variation · soloist · pointe · corps de ballet · principal · cavalier
stage
Raised performance platform
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- repertoireWorks ready to perform
- romantic balletNineteenth-century theatrical dance form
Giselle · Swan Lake · Sleeping Beauty · Nutcracker · Don Quixote · Romeo and Juliet · coda · audience · ovation · premiere
duet
Piece for two
- pairingJoining two together
- duoTwo working together
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
interplay · chemistry · connection · intimacy · trust · counterbalance · mirroring · lead and follow · support · reciprocity
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
lyricism · beauty · refinement · suppleness · lightness · line · extension · finesse · etherealness · delicacy
- ballet steps
- danceballet, breaking, folk dances, b-boying, folk dance
- performing artsacting, dance, music, drama, theater
- Dance Worldballet company, jazz ensemble, touring company, repertory company, Alvin Ailey
- dancesballet, waltz, tango, salsa, hula
- dance formsballet, waltz, ballroom dance, modern dance, folk dance