Enrico Cecchetti

Enrico Cecchetti: the Man that Revolutionized the World of Ballet

“Aim at softness and ease in your performance of a dance. Endeavor that all shall be harmonious. However hard you work at your lessons or at rehearsals, let none of this effort be visible in your performance. There must be no sign of concentration, exertion, or tension. All must be free and natural. For the true art is that which conceals the labor that produced it (Enrico Cecchetti)”. Born in a dressing room of a Roman theatre Enrico Cecchetti was born with a purpose just like everyone else. His stage performances started as an infant in his father’s arms (Cecchetti USA Classical ballet). It was clear from this moment that he was meant to perform and transform the world of
However, the Cecchetti method is growing and is still standing. Cecchetti made an impact on his students, but also the dance world. From simple things like introducing shorter tutus unlike the once floor length ones, to grand contributions such as his method of ballet that society would look at for ages(Chaganti 3). Cecchetti’s ballet incorporated movement from every part of the body, at no moment is one part of the body not moving. Both the mind and body is constantly used, the limbs of the dancer telling a story of their own, keeping the audience engaged. There are differences to Cecchetti’s method from others. For example, training in the Cecchetti method avoids injury by adapting to each dancer's body through the ballet positions to each individual's body. This applies to the degree of turnout in the hips as well as flexibility in other positions (Cronshaw). The Russian method on the other hand forces correct turnout, which leads to injuries of the knees and hips. Unlike the Russian method Cecchetti did not see the point in injuring one's body for something as little as perfect turnout. Although technique played a large factor, Cecchetti was into the quality of one's movement, seeing arms of strength and grace as if they are dancing all by themselves. Other method want strong and sharp, Cecchetti looks for strength but also grace adding his own touch to the Russian Method he himself had
From being born into a theatre, to a successful dancer, and then a teacher; Cecchetti will be remembered for everything he has done and accomplished. He created a method unlike any other, one that stands out. Through his method one can see Cecchetti’s soul as if they were once his best friend. The way to Cecchetti’s heart is through his method of ballet. His method stands and is only growing, he may be gone, but his spirit will always be part of the dance world. Cecchetti is consider the one to have linked ballet to both the past and the present, and a contributor to the birth of modern classical ballet, the ballet that we see today. Cecchetti wanted to share the world of ballet with everyone and show each and every person the art of his Method of Ballet. Rizzuto states that Enrico Cecchetti was, “A teacher to the very end, Cecchetti collapsed while teaching a class and was taken home; he died the following day at 78.” Cecchetti never stopped dancing in his lifetime, because of this the Cecchetti Method of Ballet lives