Maestro Enrico Cecchetti

Why Cecchetti Method?

Maestro Cavalieri Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) was considered the greatest ballet teacher of his time. His Method of classical ballet training is comprehensive and theatrical, based upon sound physical and theoretical principles, it is suitable for all levels of dancer from beginners to professional. His Method has been called the science behind the art of classical ballet.

Cecchetti grouped his exercises into a series he called ‘The Days of the Week’. This was to ensure that no step or movement quality be excluded from the ballet class. His iconic 1st and 2nd Sets of Ports de Bras have come to be recognised as a work of genius worldwide.

 

How do you spot a Cecchetti Trained Dancer?

A dancer trained in the Cecchetti Method dances with co-ordination and control, purity of line and can move with speed or measured lyricism. Their jump technique is powerful and precise. They are musical, use gesture and readily adapt to all other kinds of dancing.

 

Who was Enrico Cecchetti?

Maestro Cav. Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928, Italy) was a brilliant dancer and Master Teacher. He danced throughout Europe and became Ballet Master and teacher at the Imperial Theatre St. Petersburg (now the Maryinsky) under Marius Petipa. He taught Anna Pavlova privately before becoming the Ballet Master and Mime for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes.

How did the Cecchetti Method come to be taught in England?

Cecchetti taught in London from 1918-1922. He continued to coach the Ballets Russes dancers on and off, until his death in 1928. His book on technique with Cyril Beaumont and Stanislas Idzikowski: A Manual of Classical Theatrical Dancing’ was published in London in 1922 and in the same year the Cecchetti Society was founded to perpetuate his Method.

Famous Cecchetti pupils included Dame Ninette de Valois (founder of the Royal Ballet Schools and the Royal Ballet Company) Dame Alicia Markova (founder English National Ballet), Marie Rambert (Polish born founder of Rambert Dance Company), Dame Peggy Van Praagh (Australian Ballet), Serge Lifar (Paris Opera), Vincenzo Celli, Cia Fornaroli, Margaret Craske and many more. The Royal Ballet School used Cecchetti Method in its curriculum thanks to the influence of Sir Frederick Ashton the Royal Ballet Choreographer, until 1986.

Cecchetti Method can now be found in discerning ballet schools around the world.

Can I learn the Cecchetti Method?

Yes, anyone can learn this Method. Unlike most current systems of ballet training in the vocational schools of the world, which exclude any dancer without extreme natural talent and flexibilty -even as a beginner- it does not demand a particular aptitude. Just rigorous study and discipline. In addition the huge vocabulary of steps and methodological training allow a dancer to discover the joy of diverse movement possibilities and overcome their own perceived limitations, whether physical, artistic or technical.

Cyril Beaumont said:

“For the present there is none worthy to assume the mantle of Cecchetti. He was one of those great artists who appear not once in a generation but only at rare intervals in the world’s history of the theatre.”