Methods of ballet-master’s work in the historical aspect

The article shows the peculiarities of outstanding ballet masters’ work and the process of genesis and development of this profession in the historical aspect - from the time of the Renaissance, when the personality of dance teacher becomes very important in society and word “ballet” is used for the first time, until the 30s of XXth. The creative principles and methods of work of such outstanding choreographers of the past as P. Beauchamp, J.-G. Noverre, J. Dauberval, F. Taglioni, J. Perrot, Ch. Didelot, A. Saint-Leon, M. Petipa, M. Fokine, G. Balanchine, the role of the personality of the dancer in creating of choreographic image in the performance, as well as ballet productions by these outstanding choreographers on the Ukrainian stage are analyzed. Features of M. Taglioni’s, A. Pavlova’s, V. Nijinsky’s and others’ performing style are considered, as well as the phenomenon of improvisational creativity of A. Duncan and its influence on the formation of a new ballet aesthetics of the early twentieth century. Particular attention is paid to the works of such outstanding ballet masters as Serge Lifar, Vatslav Nijinsky and his sister Bronislava, whose lives were connected with Ukraine.This article also deals with an important problem of harmonious unity of choreographic and dramatic components of the ballet performance.