From adagio to voyage, over 800 steps, movements, poses, and concepts are fully defined. A pronunciation guide and cross-references to alternate names for similar steps and positions also included.

Aimed at advanced dancers, this book discusses classical ballet's basic concepts, techniques, and movements

“For soundness, for clarity, for succinctness, this manual of basic ballet is the best there is anywhere.” –Edwin Denby, The Nation With a precision unparalleled in any other book of its kind, The Classic Ballet presents a lucid text, and nearly six hundred drawings describe and illustrate in minute detail the proper body position, balance point, movement, and attitude of each position and step in the basic classical repertory. As George Balanchine wrote in his preface: “There are no shortcuts to great dancing, but what is necessary to remember and unalterable in its instruction may be found in this book . . . An admirable source of reference for the highest standard of practice.” It is an invaluable tool for the student or teacher of ballet–as well as a must-have treasure for the balletomane.

The 800 masterful drawings by Carlus Dyer demonstrate the proper body position, balance point, movement, and attitude of each position and step in the basic classical repertoire. As Balanchine points out in his preface, the illustrations are more accurate than photographs could possibly be because they have been corrected and recorrected until they approximate the ideal.